MacLeod's Leap is our signature beef from historic Fort MacLeod, Alberta. This is our standard graded beef program made from Alberta grass-raised cattle, that are grain-finished right here for exacting standards, greater quality, and consistency.
Why You Need A Story
All over the world, retailers and foodservice leaders are expected to know where the food they sell and serve is coming from. MacLeod’s Leap cattle are raised on grass and finished with barley rations to give that internationally prized marbling and flavour. We take pride in knowing everything about the cattle under our care.
Beef's Best Environment
Alberta is cattle country. Filled with non-arable land good for growing grassland to feed cattle and the feed-grain that those animals require. The Rocky Mountains provides fresh air, clear water and wide open grazing spaces perfect for raising the very best cattle in the world. MacLeod’s Leap beef is a shining example of how this all comes together at once.
Over generations our family has acquired expansive and historic farming and ranching land in the foothills of Southern Alberta around the town of Fort MacLeod. We raise and feed cattle on this land or partner with local ranches. Our butcher-craft happens right in the middle of all of this at our facility in Fort MacLeod, Alberta. MacLeod’s Leap beef is all about tightening the supply chain and making sure we always know where our food comes from and where it is going. It just comes naturally.
ter·roir – terˈwär
The complete natural environment in which cattle and beef are produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate
Colonel MacLeod's Family Ranch on the outskirts of Fort MacLeod, AB
Our Safety and Security
MacLeod’s Leap is HAACP certified, federally inspected to Canadian standards. Covid-19 has seen our meat processing facility use extensive plastic barriers throughout. We socially distance our workers and provide them with every manner of safety equipment to ensure they leave work the same way they came: healthy and confident. The facility floor has upgraded sanitation measures and we continue to strive to develop even stricter regulations throughout.
Old-school butcher methods are still alive!
We use only dry chilling methods to reduce any potential for bacterial growth while adding another layer of food safety. We focus on the skill of meat craftsmanship and knife-work. Continuous butcher skills development allows for greater individual creativity, yet a consistent product with exacting yields and qualities leading towards well defined specifications.
We Are Growing
We recently doubled-down on our processing commitment through a plan to double the size of our production floor. This new multi-million dollar, state-of-the art fabrication floor also means doubling capacity and increasing worker safety. It means more room for creativity and customization, and the ability to sharpen our skills while increasing speed-to-market.
Before there were airplanes and cars, before there were trains, or law and order, there was the wild, wild west. It was inhabited by the lands’ original peoples. Warring tribes staking out their own portion of earth against other like tribes. Land prospectors, pioneering types, cattlemen and first-footers joined the lawless and disorganized.
Around 1860, great numbers of reckless traders came and pretty much did what they wanted and surrounded themselves with ruin and murder and defiance of any laws. Even more critical was the indigenous tribes warring for rights to hunting grounds. But thousands of kilometres away came soldiers braving hot Summers and extra bitterly cold Winters to establish posts to maintain and keep-safe all that chose to stay and survive in peace.
Colonel James MacLeod was one of those who led the way. His mission was to set up Fort MacLeod along the Old Man River in what is now southern Alberta. This is the beginning of the North West Mounted Police, affectionately called the Mounties.
Macleod realised that the 150 ragged men holding down a Fort could not possibly suppress the area by force and he took a leap of faith that his Mounties needed to become trusted friends to the tribal factions to keep the peace. It worked and he became known as a man of fairness, justice and honesty.
The wagon trail was the only connection for goods and services from Fort Benton in Montana. Great wagon trains of oxen pulled huge carts from Fort MacLeod to Calgary. The protected route was called MacLeod Trail and it became the start of Western Canada and the building of cities and civilization.
It’s a story of how the West was won. How a man took leadership and took a chance to build something. It’s a story of courage and looking after others in good times and bad – and finding a common thread between all of us.
At times MacLeod worked from a plan and yet other times he simply closed his eyes and just took a leap. This is why it only makes sense that in a place like Fort MacLeod, our small beef company pays homage with our brand:
It's the one common thing that brings generations of families together time after time - FOOD and a great meal. It helps to break down the barriers of time and provide a sanctuary where experiences can be shared and we can learn from the history of those dearest to our hearts. Food sustains us, but it is also the connection that binds us to friends and family. It reduces the speed of life itself and holds it in place until everyone around you can catch up, or you can slow to join.
At MacLeod's Leap Beef, this idea drives us forward. We like to think we make reasons for people to get together and like we have, find our place in the generations.
Bringing Generations Together
Alberta's Wide Open Plains
Contact
MacLeod's Leap Beef
PO Box 2024
Fort Macleod, AB
Canada T0L 0Z0
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