Counter Intelligence: Where's the beef?

By LEE SVITAK DEAN, Star Tribune

Last update: March 5, 2008 - 4:21 PM

Where's the beef?

The timing couldn't have been better for Chipotle. Shortly after the initial recall of beef processed at Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. in Chino, Calif. (a recall that has since been expanded), Chipotle stores in Minnesota announced that their beef now is sourced entirely from farmers who raise their animals naturally.

That's Chipotle's way of saying their beef comes from cattle raised humanely, without unnecessary antibiotics or added hormones, and fed a vegetarian diet. Chipotle restaurants source their meat by state, in order to maintain supply and freshness.

Nationwide, 50 to 60 percent of the beef is naturally raised (as is 100 percent of the pork and 80 to 90 percent of the chicken), said Mike Fuller, local marketing consultant in Minnesota for Chipotle. All the meat in the 44 Minnesota stores now is natural and part of the "Food With Integrity" effort that Chipotle founder Steve Ells has created. "We are changing the way the world thinks about and eats fast food," Ells has said about his 700-plus restaurant-company, based in Denver, that has no freezers or microwave ovens. The rest of the news: Burritos have gone up 30 cents, due to food costs.

Meet your farmer

Farmers who will be offering shares in their crops in the form of community-supported agriculture (CSA) will be part of a fair on Sunday at Let's Cook, 330 E. Hennepin Av., Minneapolis (www.letscook.com), in a collaborative effort with the Mill City Farmers Market and the Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market. The free event includes mini-talks about the CSA concept; those talks will be held every hour, on the hour, from noon to 4 p.m. The fair includes representatives of 11 farms.

Drink up for a cause

Throughout March, the Modern Cafe, 337 13th Av. NE., Minneapolis, will donate 25 percent of its alcohol sales to the Northeast Farmers Market.

LEE SVITAK DEAN