Our story...
In the mid-1990's, Garth Mclean (Founder and President of Mclean Meats Inc.) left the conventional meat industry to explore a career in the Natural Food Industry. It was during this transition that Garth realized that nitrite-free deli meat products were not available in Canada. During this time an industry associate, Deb Ouellet (Manager of Food Services for Capers Community Markets) expressed to Garth the need for a natural deli meat product that was free of traditional processed meat additives.
In 1998, Garth began the research and development of a select line of nitrite-free deli meats. That same year, he launched the ‘Natural Farms’ deli meat line at Capers Community Markets’ stores in Vancouver, BC. Over the course of the next four years, Garth grew the line from 3 deli items to over 8 deli items.
Garth joined forces with friends Michelle Neilson, Deanna Bell and Gilbert Poirier in 2003 with the goal to expand the business and create a line of organic deli meats. In 2004, ‘Natural Farms’ was re-branded under the name ‘Mclean Meats Inc,’ using the word ‘clean’ in Garth’s last name as the inspiration for the new company mission:
“To produce Clean & LeanTM
meat products that nourish the body
while supporting natural, humane
and sustainable farming”.
In 2005, Mclean Meats expanded their product line to over 15 items and increased distribution throughout British Columbia.
In 2006, Mclean Meats incorporated as MCLEAN ORGANIC FOODS INC. with the goal to broaden their scope of organic food products and introduce Certified Organic spices into their recipes.
In 2007, Mclean Organic Foods introduced a new product line under the brand MCLEAN NATRO with the goal to offer a more affordable option to organic. This deli line is made from antibiotic free meat that was produced without growth hormones. Each farm is hand selected by Garth and Michelle to ensure they comply with their meat purchasing guidelines.
With the goal to expand sales across Canada, in 2008 Garth and Michelle moved production of select items to a Canadian federally inspected plant in Alberta.
Then in 2009, under Canada's new national Certified Organic Program, Mclean received certification on their turkey roasts and turkey grillers.
In 2010, Mclean Organic Foods will have over 10 Certified Organic deli products ready for distribution across Canada.
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