News

Chipotle increasing purchase of locally grown produce in 2014

June 24, 2014

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced today it will purchase more than 20 million pounds of locally grown produce in its restaurants this year, up from its 2013 goal of 15 million pounds.

"We are changing the way people think about and eat fast food," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle in a company press release. "That means pushing ourselves to find the best quality ingredients - ingredients that have traditionally been available only in high-end restaurants and specialty food markets - and making them available in a way that is accessible to really mainstream customers."

Chipotle will work with more than 45 local farms around the country to provide bell peppers, cilantro, red onions, jalapeno peppers, oregano, romaine lettuce and tomatoes for its restaurants when seasonally available. In select cities, the company will also source avocados and lemons from local growers. All of Chipotle's locally grown produce will come from within 350 miles of the restaurants where it will be served.

Consumers are increasingly interested in locally grown produce: A 2014 National Grocery Association panel revealed that 87 percent of consumers regard the availability of locally grown produce and other local packaged foods as very/somewhat important, up from 76 percent in 2009.