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, and where it is now...

Founded in 2010 by a 28 year old Sam Canning (me), Cannings Butchers was the only conceivable answer to an insatiable need to be the author of my destiny. The slow and steady pace of a trusty "9 to 5" with all the certainty and predictability it could have offered me was not enough. So, I threw everything I had into the creation of Cannings Hawthorn. I knuckled down and did whatever it took to push the business towards success.

In 2014 I stumbled across an opportunity that was too good to refuse—the amazing location of our Kew store. The expansion into Kew nearly broke me... physically and financially but I just managed to scrape through and from then on, year after year, Cannings continued to increase its retail locations until, at some point during the Great Awakening of 2020, my mindset of 'never-ending growth' had shifted. I sat with this for a couple of years before coming to the conclusion that a firm and decisive correction was needed to snap the business back inline with my truest nature—my one non-negotiable requirement. Freedom. Business ownership to me is about freedom and creation and fearlessness. Somewhere on the path to "scaling-up", Cannings lost its capacity to be free and fearless and to create freely and without limits.

It's true, I now inhabit the hinterland of Northern NSW, but I am just as connected to the business as I've ever been. Every day, Cannings receives an epic proportion of my life force energy and I'm in our stores all the time, spreading the good vibes, keeping a close eye on things and ensuring that we continue to adapt and thrive as an industry leading business—making waves of positive change that cannot be resisted. If you'd like to reach out to ask a question or make a recommendation, email me (sam@canningsbutchers.com.au) or if you'd like to help spread the love, please leave us a review.

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: we give back to the animal kingdom in the form of regular and ongoing donations to some of Australia's most vital and hardworking animal welfare organisations.

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!

Founder

Sam Canning

Management Support

Matt

Marketing & Admin Coordinator

Jess

Logistics

Tim

Kew Store Manager

Paul

Kew Production Manager

Mick

Hawthorn Store Manager

Jack

Malvern Store Manager

Andrew (AJ)

Ivanhoe Store Manager

Oscar

South Yarra Store Manager

Harley

Tooronga Store Manager

Jordan

Richmond Store Manager

Courtney

Cannings Veteran

Tony

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