Chipotle, It’s What’s for dinner!
After watching “Food, Inc.”, and learning all the horrors of industrial agriculture, I want to focus on a restaurant that is making a difference. Chipotle was founded by Steve Ells in 1993, near the University of Denver. Steve was an aspiring chef, who had recently graduated from culinary school. He wanted to produced “Food with Integrity”. Today, there are over 950 Chipotles in the United States, famous for their burritos and other Mexican entrees. In 1998, McDonald’s made its first investment in a restaurant chain that it did not itself develop. This relationship with McDonald’s helped Chipotle spread nationally. Chipotle is also known for their fresh, gourmet and organic ingredients. In 2001, Chipotle switched to a free-range pork. This meant it used meat from a farm that let “pigs be pigs”. These pigs had never been injected with antibiotics because they didn’t have to stand around in cages, soaking in their own feces, waiting to be taken to the slaughter houses. The pork has alot better taste and is alot healthier. Chipotle sells organic white corn instead of yellow corn, which has genetically modified stock. They have organic beans, organic chicken, and grain feed beef.
(This is a video about Polyface Farms, where Chipotle buys its meat)
Chipotle has also practiced sustainability by often re-using existing buildings, instead of building brand new restaurants. They also open small stores in urban settings near public transportation. Most Chipotle restaurants have stainless steel or galvanized steel, which is made up of recycled material. Seventy-Five restaurants use solar power and in some restaurants they use local produce.
Chipotle is a more expensive fast food joint because the food is a higher quality. I personally don’t mind paying more for food that will benefit my health and environment in the long run. I believe that if more people saw “Food, Inc.” they would feel the same way. The treatment of these the animals and workers is absolutely awful, and if choosing between Chipotle and Burger King helps support sustainability, Chipotle has my vote! Chipotle is setting a great example for not only fast food restaurants, but any restaurant!
http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/10/75-chipotle-mexican-grill-restaurants-go-green-with-solar/
Filed in Uncategorized 3 Comments so far
ebackman on 21 Mar 2010 at 6:23 pm #
I think Chipotle is a great example of how corporations can go large without having to lose all of their soul.
Dr. Szulczewski on 22 Mar 2010 at 11:44 am #
And I think one thing that helps even more than the philosophy is that the food tastes really good. Sometimes I wonder if other fast food places are even worth the stomach ache I always get now, no matter how much of a hurry I’m in.
eperrin on 22 Mar 2010 at 4:05 pm #
I think its really cool that Chipotle not only uses organic ingredients but also resuses already standing building and use recycled steel products. I think the best part of the situation is that the owner and creater of Chipotle is a chef, not an environmental scientist, yet he still does the best he can to be green. This is really important because environmental science effects everyone. We all have to share the Earth and maintain is sustainability for a safe and happy future. Whether you own a restaurant are in politics or are an environmental activist, all of our actions have an impact on the Earth and we need to make sure we are making the types of impacts that will be beneficial to people in the long run.