Chipotle played a really cute commercial during the Grammys on Sunday. I’m sure many of you saw. If not…
It’s actually been posted on Chipotle’s site since August. Chipotle is taking a stance against processed food – not just processed fast food – all food. And I LIKE it. In fact, I LOVE it.
But did you know that at one point (between 1999-2006) Chipotle was a subsidiary of McDonald’s?
During that time, when Chipotle popped up EVERYWHERE, McDonald’s owned 87% of the voting power of Chipotle’s stock. It was a magical partnership for BOTH Chipotle and McDonald’s. Chipotle was pimped out (it’s not surprising that so many stores opened during that time period) and it made McDonald’s seem charitable and one with nature – despite the way they process and produce their food. Bottom line: it worked. These days McDonald’s and Chipotle are NOT in any way connected. You can breathe a huge sigh of relief if you are a Chipotle fan, but despise those golden arches of glory – McDonald’s is completely divested. They are not involved in any way – except perhaps when it comes to rumors.
But how do you feel about this union? In Chipotle’s defense – they have always been proud to serve organic, grass-fed, cage-free food. But… they were still under McDonald’s umbrella. For a long time!
What I did not realize is how common this is. Did you know that General Mills owns Cascadian Farms and Muir Glen? Coca Cola owns Odwalla? That Kraft owns Back to Nature and Boca Foods? Kellogg owns Kashi? That Heinz owns Earth’s Best, Arrowhill Mills, Celestial Seasonings, and Imagine/Rice Dreams/Soy Dreams (among many others)? I know I’m surprised (and there are even MORE – just do a google search!).
From 2009 (I’m AMAZED) (Source)
My big question is — if companies that produce highly processed, genetically modified foods can support these smaller, organic, natural companies — why can’t they do it themselves??
I absolutely LOVE what Chipotle is saying with a simple song and cartoon. Let’s bring it back to the start. Even if it’s supporting the larger companies in the long run, let’s support companies that aren’t pumping our foods with processed sugars, artificial colorings, and unnecessary preservatives. Let’s mean it when we say “Whole Grain.” I don’t need my food to be organic or healthy 24/7. I like to have a treat and enjoy some processed crap (hello Sweet Tarts that I ate today!), but (and I’ve stated this before) as consumers we deserve better – and as Chipotle proves, it doesn’t HAVE to cost more.
So yes, America let’s bring it back to the start — and a HUGE bravo to Chipotle for taking a stand.
Let’s not forget the real lesson here: a Willie Nelson version of a Coldplay song is infinitely better than a Coldplay version of one.
LOL – you would say that 😉 I admit I’m pretty “meh” on Willie Nelson, but he was the perfect person to sing for this little commercial.
Great post! Wow… I honestly had no idea about all the smaller healthier companies being under the bigger, more unhealthy ones. I really had never thought about it I guess…
I absolutely loved the video! The pigs are super cute… Haha 🙂
I sooooo love this post – it’s the reason we started our little urban farm (loosely termed – LOL) – it’s these sorts of relationships that tick me off. I don’t know why it surprises me. How could we possibly expect the “little guy” to get shelf space in the competitive retail grocer when they’re fighting against these huge multi-national conglomerates? Selling out is the only way they can stay alive.
Thank goodness for farmer’s markets and real food 🙂
I wish there was a better farmer’s market option near me. The closest one is 40 minutes away!
I do appreciate that Chipotle sold out, but then pressed on on their own. Hopefully other companies will follow suit! It can be done.
I heard/saw this chart maybe about a year ago and was surprised as well.
Frankly I think this all lies in the consumer, not these companies. There are still more than enough folks eating McDs (as an example) and not caring about their health.
I mean think about it. If there was some way to get like 70% of the population to suddenly all at once completely stop eating crap and instead eat all the organic/health food, we would see dramatic changes in the food products in our society. Because suddenly the demand for those products would outweight that of McD’s or what not.
I do agree to some extent. Obviously the people eating McDonald’s every day don’t care what they are putting into their bodies, but I don’t think it lies solely with the consumer. There are are preservatives and crap that weren’t in our food 5-10 years ago. Ingredients change to make a product cheaper (while they charge us more)and unless we are tracking the ingredients we have no idea. If American wants to fight this obsesity issue both consumers and the major corporations/distributors need to be held accountable.
Love the song, commercial and message! And I love me some Chipotle!
Great post, who would have thought! My uncle works for General Mills and through him is when I realized how many big companies owned other companies, because he will move around types of projects he works on.
Now I want Chipotle for lunch 🙂
I love that commercial! Chipotle rocks.
I’m not too surprised that these companies own the “natural” companies. It’s costly to produce their products, so it makes sense that they would be bought by the bigger players. I’m sure that if they could produce the better products without having to mark up the price of their mainstream brands, they would! Unfortunately, you just have to pay more for unprocessed foods, and a lot of people don’t have that extra money in their budgets. I do love that there are healthier options available in restaurants like Chipotle, though. It’s good to do your research for sure! What Chipotle’s doing is authentic vs. Wendy’s with their “natural cut fries with sea salt.” That’s all in the marketing–they’re still not good for you!!!
Agreed.
Honestly, I wish I could will people to read labels and make healthier choices about the products they buy because there ARE better options and they DON’T have to be ultra-expensive – although they are more time consuming. You can freaking MAKE at least 2 burritos for the price of one Chipotle burrito! Obviously I could go on and on. LOL.
Amen. We are SO on the same page!
love this post!! that’s crazy about McD’s and Chipotle, I had no idea. I am a MUCH bigger fan of Chipotle though (I mean, c’mon, who isn’t?!). One of these days we’ll (hopefully) have a much bigger focus on serving delicious, nutritious foods instead of gobs of crap. One of these days…
I am SO glad that Chipotle broke away!
I really can’t believe how many people just DON’T CARE about what they eat. I’m all for everything in moderation (eating more SweetTarts as I write this) – but moderation also needs to include healthy options.
::breaks into wild applause::
So many thumbs up for this post. I often wonder the same thing about natural and organic foods and hate when food manufacturers release a “natural” version of an existing product. If this new version is “natural”, then what the heck have you been putting in it up this point? Why not just make it natural to begin with? Oh, money. That’s what make our food world go ’round.
Yes! And I just read something somewhere (maybe a blog post?) about what “natural” and “natural flavors” really is — and it’s NOT what you think it is. It can be flavors from an animal (and you’re eating a cookie!).
It blows my mind how many people either don’t care or just don’t KNOW. I feel lucky that that I grew up in a home that put an emphasis on food as energy (for the most part)!
Such a good post! 🙂
I don’t have a television, so I didn’t see this awesome commercial – thanks for sharing. I love Chipotle! They had a great festival here in Chicago that I went to this fall that was all about how they run their business and the types of food they use. It was really informational and fun, plus it didn’t hurt that there was delicious food. I hope they do it again and in more places. I think being an informed consumer is key in making a change in how food is raised, grown, and processed, so the more people that get the information the better!
Thanks! I’m glad I posted this then — it’s SO CUTE and yet so disturbing at the same time.
That festival sounds awesome! I really like that they are very open about where they get their food. They are also honest in saying they haven’t found 100% solution, but they are working on it.
I think the saddest part is that the majority of the US can tell you who won American Idol, or some stupid reality show – but they don’t understand what the labels on their food mean or don’t care what antibiotics and other foods the livestock we eat – eat. It’s has such huge implications on the health of this country! *bangs head on wall*
I loved this commercial & I love me some Chipotle. Plus they used a Coldplay song, I mean how could you go wrong? Three cheers to Chipotle for taking a stand!
I love that you love Coldplay as much as I do 🙂
GREAT POST, Michelle! I have no idea how I missed that fabulous commercial, nor did I know about the actual owners of Kashi, Muir Glen, and many of my other favorites.
There is a great movie about all of this called Food, Inc. It really opened my eyes. I never looked at Tyson the same way again.
Yes! My chiropractor likes to show it every so often. I can’t stomach watching the whole thing. And have you read Fast Food Nation?? Definitely eye-opening and the reason I will never eat McDonald’s again.