March 30, 2020

Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we at Cardinal Meat Specialists empathize with all those affected. We are committed to doing what’s right for our employees and customers, including franchise and independent restaurant operators, and all our fellow Canadians.

Safety Is Our #1 Priority

Cardinal is an industry leader in food safety systems. Safety is our highest priority, and we are proud of the reputation we have earned for our diligent approach to this all-important issue. Our plants are sanitized to rigorous standards every day and are federally inspected under the guidance of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). We have an in-house DNA lab for advanced microbiological testing and we are Safe Quality Food (SQF) certified.

Taking Safety to the Next Level

At this challenging time, Cardinal is proactively taking steps to enhance our safety processes—even beyond our stringent norms. For example, we are actively monitoring all staff for changes in health status. In addition, we have now enabled 75% of all salaried staff to work from home, and we require all those on site to practise social distancing. In our facilities, we have added air purification enhancements and extra sanitizers, and we have established enhanced cleaning procedures.

We have ongoing consultation with the CFIA, CDC, North American Meat Institute (NAMI), Canadian Meat Council (CMC), and local health authorities. The Cardinal team will remain highly engaged throughout this time of global concern, working to anticipate and minimize potential disruptions for our customers.

Going the Extra Mile

We are all facing extraordinary challenges at this uncertain time.

As Cardinal employees go the extra mile to ensure that our operations remain safe and continue uninterrupted, we are making a significant investment in our fellow employees by raising regular wages and providing for their families in meaningful ways.

As our customers’ needs change, we are offering flexibility and a readiness to pivot; if the need arises, we will work to adapt production lines in order to deliver new or additional product to meet short-term demand.

As the COVID-19 situation intensifies, it is inevitable that raw material prices will go up, resulting in higher meat costs. Throughout this difficult scenario, we will continue to provide the best value and pricing we can and to communicate market opportunities or risks as rapidly as possible. Protecting current contract commitments is of utmost importance to us.

We have also initiated business continuity planning activities to ensure we can deliver the forecast inventory for the upcoming season; our suppliers have enacted similar continuity measures, providing assurance of no foreseeable disruptions in the supply of raw materials.

As a gesture of deep appreciation to our frontline healthcare workers, Cardinal has proactively made significant food donations that support those dedicated people who put themselves at risk each day in this unprecedented fight.

“Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted by the COVID-19 virus—especially those who are ill. We are truly inspired by the contributions of Canada’s medical professionals, first responders, and essential services providers. Their selfless efforts are helping to ensure that people all over this country are cared for during this difficult time.

At Cardinal, we exist to serve the needs of our customers. As the current pandemic unfolds, we are more determined than ever to meet this promise.” – Brent Cator – Owner, Cardinal Meat Specialists.

**For further clarification or information feel free to post your question or concern at [email protected]

ABOUT US

Great meals can happen every night. All you need is Cardinal by your side.

Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. is a Canadian, family-owned company. For more than 80 years, our company has been dedicated to a "values" driven philosophy for doing business. Our products, both burger and fully cooked options, are made with the highest standards of quality, nutrition and value.

We focus on family values. At Cardinal Meats, we want to provide you with quick and easy meal ideas for your family, ones that are both nutritious and delicious, all the while worthy of your hard-earned dollars and priceless prep time. Not only that, our innovative technologies produce food safe products you can be confident serving to your family.

You have enough things complicating your life these days. Don’t let meal planning be one of them. Cardinal produces quality products to have on hand for everyday meals and special occasions.

Need some meal ideas? No problem. We’ve got you covered.

TRUST IN ANIMAL PROTEINS

Vision: Sustainably Nourishing Local and Global Communities with Wholesome Meat and Poultry

Taking a leadership position within the North American Meat Institute (NAMI North America’s largest trade association of meat/poultry packers and processors) Cardinal’s Vice President and a Past Chair for NAMI, John Vatri spearheaded an initiative to set new industry goals for sourcing and transparency.

Striving to achieve fulfillment of the core strategies listed above, Cardinal aims to build greater connection and trust with the consumers that we serve.

“Aligned with NAMI and for greater clarity, we have listed a key descriptor to expand the outcomes we have committed to as a business and for the industry” (John Vatri):

Food Safety

The meat and poultry supply chain produces safe meat products without exception

Environment

Lead the global animal protein industry to achieve the lowest environmental outcomes of meat production on land, air and water in the world

Animal Care

Design and universally adhere to a globally accepted and outcome based standard for animal welfare at all points in supply chain

Health and Wellness

Uphold animal protein as consumers’ preferred choice for nutrition, health and wellness

Labour and Human Rights

Be an employer of choice through an unyielding commitment to diversity, inclusion, employee occupational health & safety, and human rights

“To our customers: Please ask us about and expect us to be leaders and to our suppliers: Please bring us ideas and practical ways to help us and the industry live our commitments”

Brent Cator

President and Owner

Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd.

"Friends of We Care" is a foodservice industry organization dedicated to raising funds to help send disabled children to Easter Seals camps across Canada. Our vision is all children with physical disabilities have equal opportunities and access as people without disabilities. Our mission is to raise funds through the support of the foodservice and hospitality industries and the surrounding marketplace to achieve our vision.

Cardinal Meat Specialists has been a long time supporter and dedicated member of the Friends of We Care organization. In April of 2009 Cardinal was honoured with the 2009 Corporate Friend of We Care award for all the company’s fundraising efforts over the years. Throughout the year employees of all levels participate in rallying together with a common sense of commitment in order to help disabled children; through bowling, ski events, hockey events and other food service support opportunities. The sense of community this creates is an invaluable part of any organization. To experience the power of an industry focused on a common objective is wonderful. To see kids enjoy the experiences of summer camp without being disadvantaged because of a disability is truly amazing.

We as an organization are pleased to continue supporting Friends of We Care. We hope that every child gets the opportunity to go to camp and have the summer of their life. Striving to achieve even better and greater results in the future is our goal.