NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.,
Dec. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/
-- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today announced its
financial commitment to help drive the future of farming for
younger generations. With the average age of farmers at about 58*
and more than half of U.S. farms losing money last year, Chipotle
recognizes that the future of real food depends on cultivating the
next generation of farmers. The brand is implementing a scalable
solution via three-year contracts, seed grants and increased local
purchasing, which will significantly impact the lives of young
farmers and their communities so they can make a living during a
period of steep agriculture downturn.
Over the last five years, U.S. agriculture lost over 40
times more farmers than it gained**, challenging the future of
small and midsized farms throughout the country. According to the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, farm debt is projected to hit a
record $416 billion this year, up
almost 40% since 2012. Fewer farms means less real food and trouble
for the communities that depend on them. To help drive change,
Chipotle will deploy various tools to help reinvigorate the
industry and help bridge one of the largest economic
challenges.
Chipotle will commit to helping the next generation of farmers
by paving a path to profitability through Three-Year
Contracts to buy product from farmers under the age of 40 who
meet its Food with Integrity standards starting with beef,
pork and dairy. Chipotle will support young farmers through various
approved livestock and dairy networks, including Niman Ranch, and its own Local Growers
Initiative, which increases the chances of profitability despite
market fluctuations. Further, Chipotle is also committing to
increase its local sourcing across the country in 2020,
serving more local ingredients in every Chipotle restaurant than
ever before. According to its Sustainability Report, 29 million
pounds of all produce purchased last year was grown locally.
Additionally, in partnership with the National Young Farmers
Coalition and the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, Chipotle will
raise money through consumer actions to fund Seed Grants to
establish and assist young farmers. It begins with Farmer
Friday on December 6, 2019, where
$1 from every entrée purchased on
chipotle.com or the Chipotle app will go towards Seed Grants, up to
$250,000.
As a follow-up on New Year's Day, Chipotle will have a
"Cultivate the Future of Farming" float in the Rose
Parade and will donate $1, up to
$250,000, to
the National Young Farmers Coalition for every post on
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #farmers on January 1, 2020. Young farmers will ride the
float, highlighting real ingredients and celebrating the next
generation of local growers.
"Farmers committed to farming in a sustainable and ethical way
need help to have a chance to succeed – both for the sake of the
future of real nutritious food and the communities that rely on
those farms," said Brian Niccol,
Chief Executive Officer of Chipotle.
"We are able to keep raising pigs because we have these great
customers and supporters, like Chipotle, that care about where
their food comes from and are buying product that's raised
sustainably, and ethically, and as a result, are supporting
families just like mine," said Elle
Gadient, Farmer Advocate for Niman
Ranch.
- * Source: USDA NASS 2017 Census
- ** Source: Washington Post
ABOUT CHIPOTLE
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) is cultivating a better
world by serving responsibly sourced, classically-cooked, real food
with wholesome ingredients without artificial colors, flavors or
preservatives. Chipotle had over 2,500 restaurants as
of September 30, 2019, in the United
States, Canada, the United
Kingdom, France and Germany and is the only
restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its
restaurants. With more than 80,000 employees passionate about
providing a great guest experience, Chipotle is a longtime leader
and innovator in the food industry. Chipotle is committed to making
its food more accessible to everyone while continuing to be a brand
with a demonstrated purpose as it leads the way in digital,
technology and sustainable business practices. Steve Ells,
founder and Executive Chairman, first opened Chipotle with a single
restaurant in Denver, Colorado in 1993. For more
information or to place an order online,
visit WWW.CHIPOTLE.COM.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chipotles-commitment-to-real-food-drives-the-future-of-farming-300968730.html
SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill