Business Details
16 Years
experience
Premium Free Range Meat & Butcher Services in Victoria, Australia
Cannings Free Range Butchers was founded in 2010 by Sam Canning with a vision to redefine ethical meat production. Our commitment to high welfare, free-range produce ensures customers receive products raised under the most humane conditions. We prioritise transparency, providing detailed information about our sourcing practices and supply chain partners. Our purpose extends beyond profit, focusing on environmental sustainability and community support. With over a decade of experience, we work closely with Australian producers who share our values of animal welfare and regenerative farming. Our team of skilled butchers and hospitality professionals delivers exceptional service across seven retail locations.We actively support local communities through initiatives like our Community Sausage program and donations to animal welfare organisations. Our selection process involves rigorous farm visits and supplier declarations to guarantee product integrity. We advocate for industry-wide improvements in abattoir practices and maintain strict standards against non-therapeutic antibiotics and hormones. Our operations combine traditional butchery skills with modern ethical practices to provide premium meat products that align with our customers' values.
Services
Free Range Meat
Grass Fed Beef
Free Range Pork
Sustainable Seafood
Catering Services
Recipe Development
Community Support
Product Education
Farm Sourcing
Ethical Butchery
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We exclusively stock free-range, high welfare produce with complete transparency
- Our selection process includes farm visits and supplier declarations
- We support local communities through our Community Sausage program
- Our team includes third-generation butchers and experienced hospitality professionals
- We advocate for CCTV in abattoirs and improved animal welfare standards
Services
Free Range Meat
Our free-range meat comes from animals never confined to cages or feedlots. We ensure they can express natural behaviours in natural environments. This approach produces higher quality meat while maintaining animal welfare. Our free-range certification means no added hormones or non-therapeutic antibiotics.
Grass Fed Beef
Our grass-fed beef comes from cattle grazing on lush pastures in Tasmania, Victoria, and Southern NSW. These animals never receive grain supplements, ensuring natural growth patterns. Rotational grazing practices improve soil health and carbon sequestration while producing nutrient-dense meat.
Sustainable Seafood
We source seafood using Australian Marine Conservation Society guidelines. Our selection prioritises green-rated species and avoids red-rated options. We work with suppliers like Red Coral Seafood to ensure sustainable fishing practices and environmental responsibility in every seafood product we offer.
Community Support
Our community program provides discounted sausages for local events and donates to animal welfare organisations. We support schools and not-for-profits with minimum 14-day notice requirements. Our Community Sausage initiative ensures only our products are used at supported events to maintain quality control.
Product Transparency
We provide complete transparency about our supply chain through farm visits and supplier declarations. Customers receive detailed information about animal welfare standards, farming practices, and processing methods. Our selection criteria document ensures alignment with our ethical values at every production stage.
People
Sam Canning
Founder
Sam founded Cannings Free Range Butchers in 2010 after leaving a corporate career. He champions ethical meat production and maintains active involvement in business operations despite relocating to Northern NSW. Sam personally oversees quality control and strategic direction.
Matt Oltoumis
General Manager
With nine years managing the Hawthorn store, Matt now oversees operations as General Manager. A third-generation butcher, he ensures quality control across all locations while maintaining strong supplier relationships and customer service standards.
Jess
Operations Coordinator
Jess manages communications and community partnerships. She coordinates charitable giving programs and handles customer inquiries while maintaining the brand's social media presence. Her role connects internal operations with external stakeholders.
Paul Barrett
Kew Store Manager
Paul manages Cannings' largest location with 30 years of butchery experience. He oversees a multidisciplinary team while maintaining high standards in product quality and customer service. His pragmatic approach ensures operational efficiency.
Oscar
Ivanhoe Store Manager
A qualified butcher and chef, Oscar leads operations at our second busiest store. His calm leadership maintains quality standards during high-pressure periods. He balances store management with family responsibilities and personal renovation projects.
Questions
Do you offer home delivery services?
We no longer offer home delivery but can prepare bulk orders for collection at any store location.
Are your meat products GMO free?
Our Tasmanian beef and lamb are GMO free. Other grass-fed products likely contain no GMOs as they don't receive supplemented feeds.
How are your pork products slaughtered?
We use CO2 stunning at Diamond Valley Abattoir, considered the most humane method for pigs according to industry standards.
Do you stock organic meat products?
We don't offer certified organic meat but maintain higher animal welfare standards than many organic producers while keeping prices more accessible.
Can I freeze your meat products?
Yes, vacuum sealing before freezing is recommended. We advise against refreezing thawed products like prawns and calamari.
Do you support local community events?
We provide discounted sausages for eligible community events with minimum 14 days notice through our Community Sausage program.
Reviews (4)
James Bowman
Dec 11, 2021
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Generally love the Cannings offerings but shocked to see the incredibly fatty ‘Pure Burgers’ on display yesterday. Really put me off the whole experience. I know you guys can do way better than this!
Stevie Da Gato
Sep 22, 2021
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I was shopping at cannings weekly and appreciate the efforts and quality in their meat… BUT after x2 years of weekly shopping from their Ivanhoe store, I no longer can justify their ridiculous prices… Sorry canning but I’d rather shop full organic instead of paying your prices…
Michelle Francazio
Aug 06, 2021
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As a regular customer at Cannings Malvern, the customer service there this afternoon was nothing short of disgraceful! In particular, one of the staff members was rude, unhelpful and unwilling to correct or compensate for his earlier poor service that required me to return an item I found to be damaged, when I got home. For whats supposed to be a high quality butcher, charging inflated prices, I would expect better! For the sake of the business, I would suggest further staff training in customer service should be a top priority! I wont shop at this store again and I will suggest to local
Jon Davis
Jul 27, 2021
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What a fantastic butcher shop this place is! Andrew is the man you want to see for everything meat! So much knowledge and the cape grim beef ribs he sold me were up there with the best I have ever had! Keep up the good work cannings!
