NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.,
May 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/
-- Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) announced
today the second class of ventures for the Chipotle Aluminaries
Project 2.0, an accelerator program designed to support
growth-stage ventures from across the country who are working on
solutions to address problems facing today's young farmers. The
industry-leading program is sponsored by the Chipotle Cultivate
Foundation in partnership with Uncharted, both nonprofit 501(c)(3)
organizations. The seven-month annual accelerator program will
connect ventures to the people and organizations they need in order
to scale their solutions including mentors, funders and
partners.
According to a survey conducted by the National Young
Farmers Coalition, farmland access is the number one challenge
facing young farmers and ranchers. The U.S. is in the midst of a
major transition of farmland, with nearly 100 million acres
predicted to change hands in the coming years. This trend is likely
to persist as the average age of farmers continues to rise. Once
land changes hands there is no guarantee farming on the newly sold
soil will continue as land is often lost to non-agriculture use.
With the additional unprecedented challenges for farmers due to the
coronavirus, support has never been more critical.
"As a company dedicated to cultivating a better world and
preserving the future of real food, Chipotle is committed to
strengthening the farming community and empowering young farmers,"
said Brian Niccol, Chairman &
CEO of Chipotle. "By investing in innovation through our
accelerator program, these eight ventures will make a significant
impact across areas of need for the farmers of today and
tomorrow."
As farmland continues to diminish and the barriers young farmers
face continue to increase, all eight selected ventures offer a
product or service to empower farmers and make it easier to succeed
in today's agriculturally challenged world. From the ability to
access land, financial or legal guidance, connections to equipment
and education, each business offers a unique solution.
The selected ventures include:
- Agrarian Trust: Agrarian Trust is launching a network of
Agrarian Commons in communities across the country to acquire and
hold farmland in trust, providing farmers with equitable,
affordable, secure land access through long-term leases.
- American Farmland Trust: American Farmland Trust helps
new farmers gain access to land through national and localized
networks and services in order to transfer farms from one
generation to the next and keep farmland in farming.
- Demeter Mobile: Demeter Mobile is bringing the
shared economy to agriculture. Pairing growers and service
providers, Demeter Mobile is helping connect the farming community
with a few taps on an app.
- Farm Commons: Farm Commons provides the proactive legal
resources that sustainable farmers need to become the stable,
resilient foundation of a community-based food system.
- F.A.R.M.S: F.A.R.M.S. provides legal services to small
farmers while reducing hunger in the farmer's community.
- Rogue Farm Corps: Rogue Farm Corps trains and
equips the next generation of farmers and ranchers through hands-on
educational programs and the preservation of Oregon's farmland.
- Sustainable Iowa Land Trust: Sustainable Iowa Land Trust
permanently protects Iowa's land
to grow healthy food.
- Viva Farms: Viva Farms empowers aspiring and
limited-resource farmers by providing bilingual training in
holistic organic farming practices, as well as access to land,
infrastructure, equipment, marketing, and capital.
"The Chipotle Aluminaries Project 2.0 ventures are poised to
have a major influence on the future of farming. Growing these
organizations by focusing on areas of scale, like strategy and
leadership, will lead to the growth of our young farmer community,"
said Caitlin Leibert, Head of
Sustainability at Chipotle. "Bringing together the best and the
brightest in the industry with a common goal of furthering access
and innovation for young farmers is truly inspiring."
For the next seven months, the farmer-focused ventures will
receive customized support, including mentorship from industry
leaders including Seth Goldman,
founder of Honest Tea; Ken Meyer,
Former Executive Vice President of Operations at Whole Foods
Market; as well as Chipotle executives. Ventures will also receive
individualized investor introductions throughout the program and
Chipotle VIP cards, which will provide real food to fuel work
sessions all year long.
Chipotle is also empowering the next generation of farmers with
increased local sourcing, offering education, scholarships, grants,
and guaranteed three-year contracts to young farmers across the
nation. Chipotle and the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation have
contributed over $500,000 to-date to
support the next generation of farmers.
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
2,600 restaurants as of March 31,
2020, 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
85,000 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 former 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.
ABOUT THE CHIPOTLE CULTIVATE FOUNDATION
Chipotle
Mexican Grill established the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation in 2011
to extend its commitment to making real food accessible for all.
Since its inception, the foundation has contributed more than
$5 million to like-minded
organizations committed to cultivating a better world through food.
For more information, visit
WWW.CHIPOTLECULTIVATEFOUNDATION.ORG.
ABOUT UNCHARTED
Uncharted is a social impact
accelerator that builds coordinated movements of people to tackle
problems from all angles. They partner with corporations,
foundations, and governments to launch initiatives that connect
those working on the same problem and help them go to scale. To
date, Uncharted has helped social entrepreneurs raise $315 million, create impact in 96 countries, and
benefit 55 million lives. For more information, visit
WWW.UNCHARTED.ORG.
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SOURCE Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.