Meat company helping Chipotle keep carnitas on its menu

ALAMEDA, CA -- An Alameda-based meat company is apparently coming to the rescue of Mexican food restaurant chain Chipotle.

Business Insider reports that Niman Ranch will dip into its reserves to offset Chipotle's massive shortage of pork.

We were able to increase supply to Chipotle by 15% to 20% starting this week and we should be able to do that moving forward," Niman Ranch Executive Vice President Jeff Tripician told Business Insider. "We put a small amount (of pork) aside for holidays or special events."

Business Insider notes the increase in pork supply still might not bring carnitas back to every Chipotle location.

The chain announced Tuesday it was taking carnitas off the menu at a third of its 1,700 stores, after discovering animal-treatment violations by another of its meat suppliers. Chipotle isn't saying what company it was.

Only about six percent of customers order carintas. Chicken is the most popular item.