Mexican restaurant calendar sales to support Leopold Center

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AMES, Iowa -- Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., a Denver-based restaurant chain that focuses on "food with integrity," is selling calendars to support the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

The 2007 Chipotle calendars are available in its 530 stores nationwide for $5 apiece. Proceeds from the calendars will be divided between the Leopold Center at Iowa State University, and The Land Institute located in Salina, Kansas. If every calendar is sold, Chipotle will raise about $100,000 for these organizations.

The charitable effort befits Chipotle's mission of "Food With Integrity," based on the use of fresh ingredients that are sustainably grown and naturally raised with respect for the animals, land and farmers who produce the food. Some of the pork for their burritos is supplied by Niman Ranch, which buys hogs raised in deep-bedded systems from a number of Iowa farmers. Chipotle recently announced its use of sour cream from cows that have not been fed rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone).

The Land Institute is an organization working to develop an agricultural system called Natural Systems Agriculture. The system is designed to respect the sustainability of the native prairie and produce annual crops such as wheat and corn.

Through its research and education programs, the Leopold Center supports the development of profitable farming systems that conserve natural resources. Center funding comes from state appropriations and from fees on nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides, as established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act.

Chipotle operates about 20 restaurants in each of the Kansas City and Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan areas as well as at five locations in and around Omaha. For more information, go to www.chipotle.com.

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The Leopold Center was established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act as a research and education center at Iowa State University to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources. Iowa State does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact the Director of Affirmative Action, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

This page was found at http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/01-22-2007/mexican-restaurant-calendar-sales-support-leopold-center on 01/21/2013