News

Chipotle investing in the future of farming

Provided

December 4, 2019

Chipotle Mexican Grill has made a 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 is hoping to help by buying from young farmers, providing seed grants and increasing local purchasing, according to a company press release. 

"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," CEO Brian Niccol said in the release.

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 buy products from farmers under the age of 40, who meet its "Food with Integrity standards" starting with beef, pork and dairy. The brand will also 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. 

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 this week, where $1 from every entree purchased on chipotle.com or the Chipotle app will go toward 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 Jan. 1. Young farmers will ride the float, highlighting real ingredients and celebrating the next generation of local growers. 

"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," Elle Gadient, farmer advocate for Niman Ranch, said in the release.