TORONTO — More than 70 chefs and operators were in attendance last night at Victor Dries Commissary Kitchen in Toronto’s west end to sample an array of meat and seafood dishes showcasing natural, humanely and sustainably raised beef, pork and seafood from Niman Ranch, the pioneering leader in the field.
Earlier this year, Niman Ranch announced its first Canadian partnership with the largest independently owned purveryor in Canada, Macgregors Meat & Seafood Ltd. Additionally, Macgregors will offer Certified Angus Beef brand Natural by Niman Ranch in Canada for the first time.
Macgregors Meat is in its seventh generation of Canadian family ownership with a rich history of supplying the foodservice channels of Canada coast-to-coast as centre-of-the-plate specialists. The company offers a broad reach of raw, portion control, value added and cooked proteins to Canada’s diverse retail landscape. It’s also Canada’s first purveyor to be licensed by Certified Angus Beef LLC, and the first and only company to offer the Natural by Niman Ranch line.
Niman Ranch is a network of independent family farmers and ranchers raising sustainable, humane, antibiotic- and hormone-free beef, pork and lamb and is the only Certified Angus Beef brand to be 100-per-cent Certified Humane. The top-quality Angus beef is strictly evaluated using the brand’s 10 science-based specifications for marbling, size and uniformity.
“When it comes to natural products, Niman Ranch has a reputation for setting and adhering to the highest of standards — an important part of our brand’s natural beef promise,” says Clint Walenciak, director of Packing with the Certified Angus Beef brand. “It’s not easy raising Certified Angus Beef brand Natural, but that commitment comes naturally to the Niman Ranch network of U.S. farmers and ranchers who ranch with the utmost care, respect and intent.”
“We’re thrilled to expand our business into Canada for the first time through Macgregors, an incredibly diverse partner in Canada — unique and unparalleled at both foodservice and retail,” says Kay Cornelius, vice-president of Sales at Niman Ranch. “With the highest grades in the industry, the best chefs in the United States use Niman Ranch beef. Niman Ranch quality has no borders.”
“At Macgregors, we have identified our unique pillars of strength in our work culture, processing capacity and our steadfast commitment to remaining Canadian independently owned. We believe our present and future success will be built on strategic brand partnerships and Niman Ranch provides instant credibility in Canada relative to Natural and Humanely Raised highest quality beef, pork and lamb,” says Duncan Macgregor Jr., president and owner of Macgregors.
Macgregors will be managing all aspects of the Niman Ranch program internally from box ready, to dry aging, to hand butchered with artistry in “The Wickson Room.” This space is a newly constructed and segregated portion of its facility in celebration of Macgregors historical family roots. The company is celebrating its 70th year of business in 2018.
