PALM BEACH, Fla. – Chipotle Mexican Grill, in partnership with Localecopia Inc., a non-profit organization supporting local, sustainable business, announced today the 10 Florida farm winners of “The Chipotle Cultivate 10” award. The announcement was part of Localecopia’s biannual Meet and Greet event at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach.
“The Chipotle Cultivate 10” winners each submitted a written entry explaining why they should be chosen to participate in the program. Each will receive a one-year membership to Localecopia with its many membership benefits including exposure to potential buyers, sellers, industry experts and other farmers. The winners are:
- Bruce’s Ghost Pepperz, Wellington, FL
- Abundant Harvests, Glen Saint Mary, FL
- Erickson Farms Inc., Canal Point, FL
- Farming Systems Research/Green Cay Produce, Boynton Beach, FL
- Perez Farm Inc., Loxahatchee, FL
- Grown Clean, Indiantown, FL
- Armando Rodriguez Farms Inc., Plant City, FL
- The Tomato Store, Indiantown, FL
- NK Lago Farms, Canal Point, FL
- Farmer Jay Pure Organics, Delray Beach, FL
“At Chipotle, our Food With Integrity focus on sourcing the very best ingredients raised with respect for the animals, the environment and the farmers leads us to partner with organizations like Localecopia that support local, sustainable businesses – especially farmers,” said Krista Ammirato, marketing strategist for Chipotle. “These winners exhibit a wonderful variety of Florida farms that Chipotle is proud to support through this new partnership.”
The announcement marks the first of a multi-layered partnership. Chipotle will also support the 2014-2015 “Localecopia Lecture Series” for farmers, students and the hospitality industry, which is aimed at promoting environmental awareness and initiating sustainable practices by supporting local economies. In 2015, the partners will also choose five Florida-based family farmers to receive up to $1,000 to go toward the often cost-prohibitive auditing fees required for food safety certification.
“We are excited to align our efforts with a brand recognizable around the world,” said Geoffrey Sagrans, president of Localecopia. “Chipotle’s focus on their people, consumers, menu and their suppliers is admirable. Their Food With Integrity message is very much in line with Localecopia’s, so we are proud to partner with such a well-respected organization. With their support, we will be able to further promote the mission of our grassroots organization and, together, help farmers throughout Florida.”
Additional information about the grant and upcoming lecture series will be announced at a later date.
ABOUT CHIPOTLE
Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, Chipotle continues to offer a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere. Through our vision of Food With Integrity, Chipotle is seeking better food from using ingredients that are not only fresh, but that – where possible – are sustainably grown and Responsibly Raised with respect for the animals, the land, and the farmers who produce the food. In order to achieve this vision, we focus on building a special people culture that is centered on creating teams of top performers empowered to achieve high standards. This people culture not only leads to a better dining experience for our customers, it also allows us to develop future leaders from within. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in 1993 and currently operates more than 1,750 restaurants, including eight ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen restaurants, and is an investor in an entity that owns and operates two Pizzeria Locales. For more information, visit Chipotle.com.
ABOUT LOCALECOPIA, INC.
Started in 2007, Localecopia, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 established on the principles of promoting local, sustainable business. The foundations of these principles include bringing together like-minded individuals and eliminating the disconnect between producers and consumers. Localecopia accomplishes its core mission through collaborative efforts, community outreach and constant education. Every endeavor pursued by the organization circles back to the basic principles upon which the organization was founded. For more information, visit Localecopia.org.
Source: Chipotle