Retail Meat Store

COVID-19 Important Information

Masks - Non-medical or fabric masks that cover the mouth and nose are required to be worn in all indoor public areas on the campus such as hallways, washrooms, and common areas. Visitors to the campus are also required to wear masks in indoor public spaces. Customers must wear their mask upon entering the building of Animal Sciences.
Customer Capacity - The Retail Meat Shop will limit customers to 5 in the store at one time. During busy times, we ask that a line be made outside of the store in the hallway. Signage has been posted showing where the line is to take place. We are also asking that only 1 member from a household is to shop, as we are pressed with our space, and the 5 person limit.
Hand Sanitizing - There are sanitation stations located in the hallway, and entry of the Retail Meat Shop. It is encouraged that customers quickly sanitize their hands before shopping.
Social Distancing - Please practice social distancing in the store, and in the hallway/store line. It is also encouraged that the hallways (aside from the store line) are to be kept as clear of foot traffic as possible. Once shopping is complete, to please exit the building of Animal Science.
Store Hour Change - The Retail Meat Shop will be open Monday to Friday - 12 pm - 5 pm. We will now be closed Saturday and Sunday.

We understand that these new protocols may not be ideal for everyone, but cooperation with us is essential for the success of this re-open. Not only are we a retail meat shop, but we are a school first. The health and safety of everyone involved (students, customers, and staff) is top priority to us. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our changes, you can always reach us by calling 403 556 8283, or by sending us a Facebook message.

The Olds College Retail Meat Store sells products created by the students of our renowned Meat Processing Certificate program. The program is the only one of its kind in North America, and one of only two in the world that teaches the entire process - from slaughter, to cutting and processing products, to retail, including customer service, merchandising and marketing through the Meat Retail Store.

We have three intakes of our 15 week program every year, and expert staff on hand to ensure that the store is open year round, providing locally raised meat and value added products that are delicious and affordable. Shopping at the Olds College Retail Meat Store ensures that you are getting fine, top quality, locally grown food, produced by expert staff and students.

As a social enterprise, the Olds College Retail Meat Store is driven to create enough profit to fund our Meat Processing Certificate program. The money you spend at the Meat Retail Store goes to support Olds College students, and the future of the meat industry.

Products and Services

We would like to invite you to come by and see one of the largest selections of fresh meat cuts in central Alberta.

Beef: Raised on the Olds College farm, we sell beef that is raised humanely. Stop by to check out our varieties of steaks, roasts, and ground beef.
Lamb: Available seasonally, and with growing demand, our lamb cuts come from the Olds College Farm.

Chicken: Fresh, locally raised chickens from the Valley View Colony of Torrington, Alberta, we carry whole chickens and traditional cuts, ready to cook.
Pork: All Olds College pork comes from lean pigs raised by Brokeman Farms of Olds, Alberta. Our counter has all of the traditional pork cuts that you will find in any butcher shop, including chops, roast, ribs, bacon, ham and side pork.

Fresh Meat Fridays

Operated by our Merchandising and Marketing students, Fresh Meat Fridays includes a full service counter and expert advice from our students and staff. Stock available for Fresh Meat Fridays varies, but will include a variety of the top cuts, prepared ready to hit your grill or oven.

Value Added Products

Value Added Products are key to an emerging business, and it is important that our students understand how to create products that will help them to increase profits for their business after they graduate. Our Retail Meat Store staff trains our students to create a wide variety of value added products, including:

Sausages, multiple varieties
Sandwich Meats
Jerky
Pepperoni Sticks

Supporting the Mountain View Food Bank

The Olds College Retail Meat Store is a proud supporter of the Mountain View Food Bank. The two organizations work together to address the growing need of food for Mountain View County residents who find themselves in need.

The Food Bank seeks out the donation of cull cows, destined for butchering, and the students and staff of the Meat Processing Certificate program processes the beef. Processing the meat comes with supplementary costs of approximately $150 per animal, which covers the cost of wrapping and Government-mandated labelling. As such, the Food Bank is also seeking cash donations to help cover these costs.

Tax receipts for donations based on the market value of the donated animal will be provided by the Food Bank to donors.