Sustainable food world starting to take a closer look at the fast-food company that claims to sell “food with integrity”…

The blogosphere is turning against the fastest-growing restaurant chain in the fast-food industry, Chipotle Mexican Grill, as its marketing claims come under increasing scrutiny.

Meanwhile, more than 400 people attending the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A)’s annual General Assembly sign an open letter to Chipotle’s Steve Ells, calling on the company’s CEO to help, “hasten the day when farmworkers enjoy the human rights they deserve and consumers have the confidence that the food they purchase promotes human well-being.”

“Grist,” a leading blog for environmental news and commentary, recently ran a post entitled, “Chipotle grilled: When will the conscientious burrito giant pay up for less exploitative tomatoes?” Here’s an excerpt:

“Chipotle Grill has received a lot of good press over its efforts to support local food systems in the areas where it operates.

Even I’ve gotten into the act. In a post back in March, I reported on a conversation I had had with a Chipotle PR person:

I told her that as long as Chipotle was committed to paying a fair price to farmers — and not merely using them them for marketing leverage — I thought the company could play a constructive role in a nationwide transition to a truly sustainable ag. We’ll see.

Well, not so fast… Chipotle has refused to sign on to a deal to pay an extra penny per pound for tomatoes from Florida, where farmworkers toil under brutal conditions for sub-poverty wages…

If Chipotle is at all serious about its pledge to serve “food with integrity,” it will stop dickering around and pay up in Florida.” Read the post here

The Grist post referred to another excellent opinion posted on “The Pump Handle,” a popular public health blog, entitled, “Chipotle’s “Food with Integrity” ignores tomato pickers.” The post asks some hard questions of Chipotle’s CEO Ells:

“Two years ago, the CIW asked Chipotle’s Chairman and CEO Steve Ells to follow the example taken now by the world’s three largest fast-food companies to improve the low-wages paid and dire working conditions faced by tomato pickers. To date, Chipotle’s executives have evaded the call and their “Food with Integrity” philosophy doesn’t translate to the plight of farmworkers.” Read the post here

And finally, as mentioned above, on June 27th, 433 attendees at the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in San Jose wrote to the Chipotle’s Ells, urging him to work with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers now, to improve poverty wages and exploitative working conditions in the tomato fields of Florida. Their letter reads in part:

“As followers of Jesus Christ, who announced good news to the poor and freedom for the oppressed, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) endeavors to witness clearly about the forces that exploit our human family as well as about those actions that help to heal the brokenness of our world. For many years the PC(USA) has been a partner with the farmworkers in calling upon the fast-food and grocery industry to do their part
to end these terrible conditions.

Burger King, McDonald’s and Yum! Brands corporations have all made agreements with the CIW farmworkers that are advancing human rights for farmworkers. These companies have taken reasonable steps to address the grievous exploitation which their high-volume/low-cost purchasing practices have helped to create. We urge your company to embrace the principles found in these agreements within your own supply chain.”

Click here to go to the PC(U.S.A.)’s website, where you can download the letter in its entirety.