Metzger Meats in Hensall

Taste the Quality

Every Saturday without fail, Gerhard Metzger welcomes a loyal customer to his Metzger Meats retail shop in Hensall. “I don’t think this man has ever missed one Saturday in 20 years,” says Metzger, the company owner. “It’s gratifying to see repeat customers. We have some people who travel two hours. It’s a destination shop for them.”

It’s this kind of loyalty that drives Metzger to work long hours in order to provide superior products in an expanding marketplace. This year marks 35 years of selling award-winning meats, with ingredients made from scratch, and providing top-notch customer service. “It’s not about profit, it’s about creating something that is of value to people,” Metzger says “We always look for new technology, but we don’t sway from our traditional quality.”

Drying room for custom-made salami

What started as a one-man operation in 1990 has grown to 28 employees and a state-of-the-art processing facility. Every two to three days now the company’s sales total the same amount it made during the first year in business. The production area has grown from 3,400 square feet to 40,000 and Metzger no longer has to link sausages by hand. However, being hands on is still important to him. “We can trace all of the ingredients from the day it comes to our door and the origins of it, the temperature the meat was cooked to and how quickly it was cooled.”

The Hensall retail shop featuring fresh and frozen meats.

Investments in infrastructure at the processing plant ensure food safety, quality control and sustainable energy remain priorities, he says. Metzger also keeps affordability in mind for customers. “Even though we are an artisan producer, we apply technology in order to efficiently make the products to a high standard and in a way that consumers can afford.”

Metzger’s products can be found in groceries stores across Ontario and he also supplies restaurants and other food service businesses with wholesale meat. “We want our partners to be proud to carry the product,” he says. While Metzger sells within the province, he is also exploring new opportunities further afield. “We are interested in interprovincial trade and export markets, plus new retailers.” •