Chipotle for Change

Everyone has heard horror stories about where fast food is sourced from, but has anyone ever heard of fast food restaurants sourcing 100% antibiotic free meats? Chipotle has made it their mission to find as many respectable sources as possible.

Pork: Chipotle gets 100% of their pork from antibiotic free farms that treat their pigs well and give them a completely vegetarian diet.  Not sure why that is such a big deal? American pork producers use 10 million pounds of antibiotics per year.  

Beef: The beef is entirely sourced from ranches that meet the naturally raised standards.  This means that they are raised in a humane way and fed a vegetarian diet with no added chemicals. 

Dairy Cattle: Most of the cheese and sour cream served is from pasture-raised cows.  However, Chipotle has not yet been able to find enough sources to have that be 100%. 

Chicken: For the most part, the chicken is served is entirely hormone and antibiotic free.  However, occasionally there is a shortage in which case the specific Chipotle restaurant will have that noted in their store. 

Vegetables:  Chipotle gets as many of their vegetables as possible from family owned farms and local sources.  So far about 40% of their beans are organically grown.  The also find farmers who focus on being responsible and sustainable but are not always certified organic.

Aside from caring about the animals they are serving, Chipotle also cares about the people serving it. 

Farmers: Chitpotle has several policies in place that detail how the farm workers should be treated and how to not exploit them. 

Servers:  Some Chipotle branches work with the International Rescue Committee to place new refugees in their stores in order to help them get a fresh start.  They also offer English language education to any employees who request it as part of their mission to promote cultural sensitivity and diversity. 

Zoë Naseef

Sources: Business Week, Chipotle