Henderson’s Meats & Abattoir Builds a Strong Foundation for Growth with the Food Safety Excellence Program

When Henderson’s Meats & Abattoir was put up for sale in 2021, fifth-generation dairy farmer Eric Patenaude and his family saw an opportunity to grow their business and strengthen their connection to the local food supply chain. 

By acquiring the established abattoir, the family could provide a reliable, long-term processing option for local beef, pork, lamb and goat farmers. “What I’m most proud of at Henderson’s Meats,” shares Eric, “is the fact that we control the whole chain, from the ground to the grocery store.” Henderson’s Meats was already an established local business that provided slaughter, processing and custom-cutting services to farmers and consumers in the area, making it a natural extension of the family’s farming operation, and gave them a great opportunity to embark on a new chapter. 

A vision for what could come next

Taking ownership of an established abattoir brought new possibilities. Eric and his team had a clear vision for where they wanted to take the company, and a strong food safety system would be central to achieving their vision. Henderson’s Meats wanted to pursue new markets and eventually expand beyond Ontario. To do so, the business would need to meet federal licensing and requirements. Pursuing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification was an important step in building the robust food safety system needed to support that goal.

HACCP certification is a major undertaking for any processor. It requires commitment across the business, detailed documentation and a systematic approach to identifying, evaluating and controlling food safety hazards. For a busy operation balancing daily production with long-term growth, knowing how to begin, and how to keep moving forward, can often feel daunting and overwhelming.

Finding a practical path forward through the FSE Program

After becoming a member of Meat & Poultry Ontario (MPO), Eric learned about the  Food Safety Excellence (FSE) Program and how the free tools, training opportunities and support could help his operation improve their food safety system. 

The FSE Self-Assessment Tool gave Eric a simple and accessible place to start. By answering questions about the operation’s current food safety system and future goals, Eric was able to better understand the next step needed to move the business forward. “My experience using the FSE survey tool was very good,” he says. “It was very easy to use.”

 

“My experience using the FSE survey tool was very good,” he says. “It was very easy to use.”  —  Eric Patenaude

That initial self-assessment helped turn a broad goal of improving the operation’s food safety system into a clear, manageable path forward. “We wanted to achieve a higher level of food safety and get up to CFIA standards.” Eric also attended some free virtual webinars, which helped deepen his understanding of food safety systems and how to better strengthen them. 

For Henderson’s Meats, the turning point was the Implementation Support that was then available through the FSE Program. Funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the initiative helped provincially licensed meat processors by covering up to 100% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $30,000 in funding for the implementation of a third-party audited food safety system of their choosing. 

Henderson’s Meats used the Implementation Support to hire a food safety consultant to guide the team through the HACCP certification process. The consultant brought specialized knowledge, helped the team understand the requirements and supported the development of a system suited to the realities of the operation.

For Eric, that expert guidance made a world of difference. Without the consultant and the assistance provided through Implementation Support, he does not believe Henderson’s Meats would have succeeded in achieving HACCP certification.

Knowledge that strengthens the whole operation

The process delivered more than a certificate. It gave Eric and his team a deeper understanding of food safety and the role a well-developed system plays throughout the business. “…Since going through the FSE Program,” Eric shares, “we went from paperwork to digital. We went to a digital platform for tracking everything. All our day-to-day processes here, is now online, and makes it much easier, with a lot less paperwork.”  

“We went to a digital platform for tracking everything. All our day-to-day processes here, is now online, and makes it much easier, with a lot less paperwork.”   —  Eric Patenaude

By formalizing processes, strengthening documentation and building food safety into day-to-day responsibilities, Henderson’s Meats has created greater consistency across its operation. Employees gained confidence in the systems they were following and pride in what the team had accomplished together.

That stronger food safety culture is one of the most valuable outcomes of the journey. “Now, everyone’s got training,” says Eric. “Everyone is proud of doing the work. They understand what food safety really is, and…my employees are very proud to be HACCP certified.”

“Everyone is proud of doing the work. They understand what food safety really is, and…my employees are very proud to be HACCP certified.”  —  Eric Patenaude

For Henderson’s Meats, achieving HACCP certification is a huge milestone that has strengthened the foundation for future growth. It demonstrates the company’s commitment to food safety, builds credibility and trust with customers and partners, and moves the business closer to its goal of reaching markets beyond Ontario.

Henderson’s Meats began with a vision for growth. By pairing that vision with the knowledge, tools and support from the Food Safety Excellence Program, the team has transformed food safety from a daunting objective into a practical pathway forward.

Not sure what your operation’s next step should be? Use the FSE Self-Assessment Tool and receive a recommended next step based on your current food safety system and goals.

Financial support for Food Safety Excellence was provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.