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Chipotle Cultivate Foundation Releases Short Film to Promote Halloween Fundraiser

By: Chipotle Mexican Grill |  1 Shares     93 Reads

Yeah Yeah Yeahs lead singer Karen O covers Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings Classic "Mama, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" for Film Soundtrack

DENVER, Oct 12, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, in cooperation with Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG), has produced a short film to help promote a fundraiser to be held this Halloween at all Chipotle restaurants to benefit the Foundation and Farm Aid. The film, entitled "Abandoned," is designed to raise awareness about the economic hardship family farmers face in the increasingly industrialized American agricultural system.

The film, directed by filmmaker David Altobelli, was shot on location at an abandoned farmhouse and features a new version of the song "Mama, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," originally made famous in a duet by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. The new version of the song is sung by Karen O, lead singer of the indie rock band the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

The film, set at night, tells the story of three boys exploring an abandoned farmhouse. With the old farm and its discarded mementos as a backdrop, the kids explore the house that was clearly left in a hurry some time ago. As the kids explore and eventually begin to vandalize the house, it becomes clear to one of the boys that the family that once lived there was very much like his own. This revelation helps him realize that this abandoned house may represent the plight of his own family and their nearby farm. A frightening moment in the house sends all the boys running back to the comfort of their still-functioning farms.

"Chipotle has a long history of supporting local family farms," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. "Unfortunately those farms are disappearing by the hundreds each week. With this film, we hope to spark more of a conversation about the urgency of supporting family farms and the communities they sustain."

In addition to elevating the importance of supporting local family farms, the film is intended to raise awareness of Chipotle's Boorito fundraiser held on Halloween at Chipotle restaurants in the US, UK and Canada. This year, through the Boorito promotion, Chipotle aims to raise up to $1 million dollars for the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation and Farm Aid.

To participate in the fundraiser, go to any Chipotle restaurant between 6 PM and closing on October 31st dressed in a costume inspired by the family farm and purchase a burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos for only $2. Proceeds, up to $1 million, will be donated to the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation and Farm Aid. Details about the fundraiser can be found at chipotle.com/boorito. Last year, Chipotle donated $1 million to The Jamie Oliver Food Revolution stemming from its Boorito fundraiser.

The film can be seen at http://www.cultivatefoundation.org

About the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation

Chipotle Mexican Grill established the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation in 2011 to extend its commitment to creating a more sustainable future. The foundation supports organizations and individuals who support family farms and their communities, educators and programs that teach younger generations about food matters, and ranchers and farmers who are working to develop more sustainable practices.

About Farm Aid

Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews host the annual concert to raise funds to support Farm Aid's work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. Since 1985, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $39 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture, and promote food from family farms. For more information, visit FarmAid.org.

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 naturally raised with respect for the animals, the land, and the farmers who produce the food. A similarly focused people culture, with an emphasis on identifying and empowering top performing employees, enables us to develop future leaders from within. Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in 1993 and currently operates more than 1,100 restaurants. For more information, visit Chipotle.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50024433&lang=en

SOURCE: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

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