G-M-Oh No You Didn’t



Known for its marketing tactics, Chipotle has recently made another bold move.

Not often (read “never”) have I been skeptical of the ingredients that make up my food. It may be a perk of growing up with a connection to agriculture, or maybe it is a trusting attitude towards the measures and regulations that food has to go through so it can be put on the market. On the other end of the spectrum, there are groups of people that want to know what exactly they are eating for the sake of their health, the health of their children, and the health of the environment. In my opinion, people with these concerns deserve to have truthful information provided to them so that they can make informed choices.

So what is the issue? The issue is what information people accept, and what they challenge. Instead of doing research over genetically modified organisms, a very hot issue in agriculture right now, groups prefer to have them labeled on food packaging or removed from food altogether, regardless of what they are. Chipotle Mexican Grill, who garnered national attention in 2013 for showing what items on their menu contained GMO ingredients, has made another bold move by recently removing GMO ingredients from their food menu altogether. Chipotle states on their website that they are dedicated to sourcing “the highest quality ingredients,” and according to them, GMOs somehow fall short of that mark. The company describes one genetic modification as capable of producing pesticides and insecticidal toxins. With words like these, it could make anyone hesitant to eat anything that produces pesticides.



Don’t worry, this guy’s job isn’t a part of your food!

The reality? The crop produces a protein, found even in organic pesticides, that deals with insects, and has shown not to be harmful to humans in any way. So why is Chipotle set on removing any hint of genetic engineering from their food?

One of the main reasons the chain provided for removing GMO ingredients was to appeal to customers who choose to avoid them. So instead of providing helpful information so that those who are cautious can be informed, Chipotle is now perpetuating the fear that exists around genetic modification. I decided to give the company the benefit of the doubt when they provided links for those wanting to know more about GMOs, though my feelings were quickly reversed when this list of “informational” websites included links to groups that were dedicated to convincing the public about not using GMOs.

Where are the groups dedicated to shedding a truthful light on GMOs? Where are the people that are answering questions with first-hand experiences, giving those who are skeptical a source that can be trusted? While many in the agriculture sector like to give Chipotle flak on their stance towards food, could we better spend our time by promoting honest agriculture, the real “food with integrity?”

As stewards of the land, farmers are the ones who need to speak up for it, not restaurant chains. We all have the opportunity in our life to tell our stories, so why not tell our food’s story? Talk to those who are concerned for their children, or are concerned for the ground that the crops get planted in. Connect with them, and provide them information.

Do you have questions of your own? Let us know!

Until next time,
Chance Hunley

Chipotle: Biting the Hand that Feeds It?

As of 2012, 81% of Americans were on the internet.  That means 81% of Americans are constantly being bombarded with informative - and misleading - information from Facebook, Twitter, and notably, a particular Hulu web series.   Chipotle Mexican Grill, has taken advantage of the world wide web to broadcast their web series, “Farmed and Dangerous” via Hulu.

While Chipotle uses the slogan, "Food With Integrity," I find the corporation to actually be quite lacking in integrity.  They created this series to attack modern-day “industrial” farming, while showing that local, natural and organic family farms are the only way to go.  While there is absolutely nothing wrong with supporting local and organic markets, it is wrong for Chipotle to mislead consumers with myths of modern farming.

Check out this recent guest editorial in response to Chipotle's attack on modern agriculture featured in K-State's student newspaper, the Collegian.  The contributor, Nathan Peterson, is a sophomore in agricultural technology management at K-State and is well known in the agriculture community for being one of the Peterson Farm Bros, from the Peterson Farm Bros YouTube videos.

http://www.kstatecollegian.com/2014/02/28/chipotle-misleads-its-consumers-bites-hand-that-feeds-it/

-Alex

Chipotle - Back to the Start Rebuttal

I enjoyed reading this official comment on the recent Chipotle commercial that aired during the Grammy's. The gross misinformation presented in the video made a lot of agriculturists feel offended.

You can read the comment put out by the American Society of Animal Science here.

I think what I enjoyed most was the following direct quote -

“The world can afford for a few wealthy people to get pork and other animal products produced in outdoor extensive systems,” said Pettigrew. “But we cannot sustainably produce nearly enough for all the world’s people that way. Such systems require too much land and feed to be sustainable if applied across the industry.”

Sourcing food from places that Chipotle does is not wrong. It's a valid option to give consumers. However, I disagree with presenting it as a replacement for conventionally produced meat products. We have a lot of mouths to feed and we have to provide protein products for people who make $5 an hour AND for people who make $50 an hour. 

What are your thoughts?

Chipotle - Back to the Start

Farmers take care of all of us. See how pigs are raised on MOST of the hog farms in America. This video sure gets it right!