Chipotle Mexican Grill has partnered with The Farmlink Project to fight food waste and hunger, according to a company press release.

Twenty billion pounds of produce go to waste on farms each year while over 38 million Americans live in hunger, a reality that Chipotle hopes to change by supporting The Farmlink Project, a non-profit grassroots movement connecting farms with food banks to feed those in need while supporting essential jobs.

How it works

Now through Friday, when Chipotle's digital guests name their orders "GIVETEN" on the Chipotle app or Chipotle.com, the chain will donate 10 pounds of unsold produce from its farming partners through The Farmlink Project to food banks across the United States.

"Sending fresh produce from our supply partners to food banks through The Farmlink Project is an ongoing effort at Chipotle," Chipotle CMO Chris Brandt said in the release. "Through initiatives like the Farmlink partnership, Chipotle is committed to driving meaningful change for our communities, and we're excited to invite our guests to participate in this initiative to reduce food waste and fight food insecurity."

Chipotle is also featuring The Farmlink Project in its Real Change feature on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com through Jan. 10, 2022. Guests may round up their bills to the next highest dollar amount when placing digital orders to contribute. Chipotle Rewards Members may also get involved by transferring points to The Farmlink Project on the Chipotle app.

Founded and run by college students, The Farmlink Project has 100 active volunteers and has represented students from 93 universities and colleges across the nation since its inception last year.

Chipotle and The Farmlink Project first joined forces in February to provide over 300,000 pounds of produce to food banks in Texas in response to Winter Storm Uri. To date, they have delivered over 10,000,000 pounds of unsold produce to the hungry across 23 states.

"Over the last year and a half, our team has learned that two things make the biggest difference in the fight to change our food system — social activation and direct participation from companies willing to set an example for others, said Aidan Reilly, co-founder and head of Partnerships of The Farmlink Project. "Chipotle has exemplified both through their work with us. This winter, we are not only going to be able to feed millions of people together, but we'll be able to spread the message of a better food system with many, many more."

2023 Farm Bill
In addition to fighting food waste through its farming partners, Chipotle is committed to supporting the future of farming, Brandt said. It recently announced its support of the National Young Farmers Coalition's movement to advocate for policy change in the 2023 Farm Bill to facilitate equitable access to up to one million acres of land for the next generation of farmers.

The chain also created the short film, "A Future Begins," to drive awareness and encourage guests to join the campaign to impact the 2023 Farm Bill at chipotle.com/farmers. Adding your name will help the National Young Farmers Coalition advocate for Congress to invest $2.5 billion toward securing access to up to one million acres for young farmers, according to the release.

Lastly, Chipotle has committed $5 million over the next five years to support the future of farming. The brand is helping secure long-term contracts for farmers under the age of 40 who meet its Food with Integrity standards.

Copyright © 2021 Networld Media. All rights reserved., source Industry News