Who we are

As butchers with a conscience, we deliver Australia's most high welfare produce. Guided by our values and commitment to what is right, we're here to lead positive change.

Cannings Commitments

Integrity

When you shop at Cannings you can be sure that the produce you are buying was raised under the most high welfare conditions possible. We make no compromises when it comes to sourcing.

Transparency

We value transparency and honesty and we love providing our customers with product information and detail. We expect this from our supply partners—that's why you can expect this from us.

Purpose

We focus on purpose over profit and find immense satisfaction in knowing that we look after our people, our environment and our communities. It's with deep gratitude for our success that we give back as much as possible.

I love and respect animals, so it was an easy decision to sell free range produce only. I believe that meat should be savoured and appreciated. And that animals should be treated with compassion and respect.

Sam Canning | Founder

Where it all began

Cannings was built from the ground up, fueled by Sam Canning's love of good food and his desire to raise the industry bar and improve animal welfare standards. Since 2010, Cannings' philosophy has been embraced and supported by the Melbourne community. Years on, the business has grown, and we're incredibly grateful to have such an amazing network of free range producers and a team of staff who represent Sam's core values.

At Cannings, we are committed to serving and supporting our local community. We support local businesses with our fine range of Cannings condiments and hire our teams locally to our stores. We also love supporting our local communities with our "Cannings Community Sausage". We have an allocation each month available to worthy local community events, so reach out here to see how we can support your organisation. Once our allocation of free sausages has been exhausted, we do have a special offer to buy "Cannings Community Sausages" for eligible events. Find out more here.

Committed to our local community

It's been a passionate journey of education and adventure as we've researched and met some of Australia's best producers, on the hunt for high welfare, high quality produce at a price point that is accessible to everybody. We make the effort to meet our producers on their farms for an insight into their operation. The farm philosophy, how they raise and care for the animals, their logistics, supply chain and the abattoirs at which the animals are processed, are all critical factors that form the basis of the Cannings Selection Process.

Our selection process

In a world of confusing labels, misleading claims and general uncertainly around product provenance and welfare standards, it's nice to know that when you shop at Cannings, things are simple. Thanks to our considered selection process, our animals are true free range, cage free and happy animals from the south east regions of Australia. Our animals have no added hormones or non-therapeutic antibiotics. We believe that high welfare, free range produce is the only honest and fair option.

Product integrity

That's right. Our mantra is CARE. We figure that if we handle every process, every customer, every staff member, every aspect of the business with care, then everything will fall into place. Did you know that as well as being certified carbon neutral, we also give back to the animal kingdom in the form of regular and ongoing donations to amazing charities such as Animals Australia, Humane Society, RSPCA Victoria, Sea Shepherd and the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

We actually care

Meet our team

The Cannings Butchers experience is made possible by our amazing team.
Tap on any team member to hear more about them!

Kew Store Manager

Paul

Hawthorn Store Manager

Matt

Malvern Store Manager

Andrew (AJ)

Ivanhoe Store Manager

Oscar

South Yarra Store Manager

Harley

Richmond Store Manager

Courtney

Tooronga Store Manager

Jordan

Kew Production Manager

Mick

Customer Enquiry Liaison

Jordan

Relieving Manager

Tony

Customer Experience Manager

Christian

Logistics

Tim

Marketing & Admin Coordinator

Jess

Accounts Manager

Jamie

Chief Financial Officer

Donna

Chief Operating Officer

Caroline

Founder

Sam Canning

Environmental footprint

  • All of our salvageable cardboard, hard plastics and organic waste get recycled. Unavoidable waste is offset through our carbon neutral program.
  • No plastic carry bags or polystyrene trays.
  • Our paper bags are 100% recyclable.
  • Our stores are powered by renewable energy sources.
  • Local produce for minimal food miles.

Carbon neutral

Since 2012, we have been carbon offsetting our unavoidable emissions through tree planting programs and other environmental initiatives. Our certification can be viewed here, and our Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report can be viewed here. Tree planting takes place to offset our emissions but it also helps repair salt affected land, reduce water and wind erosion, and creates habitat for endangered species and rare flora. YAY!!

We are a B Corp!

When Cannings formed back in 2010, we knew we wanted to make a difference. This desire to 'leave the world a better place' is baked into Cannings DNA. So when we discovered there was a certification framework to help us structure and communicate this ambition, we were all over it. On March 10th, 2022, Cannings became a certified B-Corp and we hold this certification with great pride and honour. B-Corp measures and creates accountability on what our mission is designed to do (create positive change). 'Positive change' being defined by our commitment to raising the industry bar, using our business as a force for good and balancing our purpose and profits (not profit above all else). B-Corp requires ongoing recertification and the need for continual improvement across five key aspects of our aspects of our business. B-Corp certification is not the end-game and it's not a declaration of perfection - it's a benchmark on which we can base our perpetual desire to make things better!

Governance

We have a clear mission and a long standing purpose upon which all of our decision-making is based. We're always striving to maintain this purpose practically and transparently on a daily basis. With our B Corp certification, we vow to continue our efforts to balance purpose with profits so that our business can be a force for good.

Workers

The health, wellness and safety of our team are incredibly important to us. We want working at Cannings to give our team a sense of purpose, fulfillment and value - which means offering real opportunities for growth and progression. It's our people who make this all possible, and we want them to get as much out of working with us as we do from working with them.

Community

Our local communities are Cannings' biggest supporters, which is why it's so important to us to give back where we can. We regularly donate to local community events such as school and charity fundraisers. We also prioritise local sourcing when considering new suppliers and products, whilst maintaining our commitment to source only the highest quality high welfare produce.

Environment

We acknowledge that our industry can be emissions intensive that is why we are always looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact. We power our stores on renewable energy and offset our unavoidable carbon emissions each year. We are also working towards minimising plastic use starting with sugar cane pulp trays in place of polystyrene in our stores. There are lots of opportunities for improvement in this space.

Customers

Our mantra is CARE, so it is essential to us that each and every customer who shops with us is treated with care. Whether this means receiving great cooking tips from our team, resolving a complaint, acting quickly on feedback, protecting our team and customer data, or simply creating a friendly and welcoming environment in-store - we care!

Join Us

Careers at Cannings

Interested in joining us at Cannings? All training is provided so if you bring a curiosity and willingness to learn you’ll fit right in. A passion for food or experience in hospitality or retail is always a plus by no means a requirement. We always see enthusiasm, attitude and team-spirit wins by a country mile anyway!

Across our nine store locations and support office, Cannings has opportunities for anyone wanting to learn more about the industry, work with food, pursue a butcher qualification or even manage a retail location.

Find out more