Our History
Rooted in tradition, powered by innovation
Our journey began with a passion for quality and community. Over the years, we’ve built strong relationships with local partners, ensuring our growth supports the Canadian economy.
At Conestoga Meats, our story is one of passion, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to quality
Founded in 1944 by Harold and Eileen Snider—two hardworking farmers with deep roots in the meat industry—our journey began with the purchase of their farm near Waterloo, Ontario. Their vision for producing premium, high-quality meat products was the cornerstone of what would grow into a leading company in the industry.
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1952
Harlene Farms is established
In 1952, Harold and Eileen establish Harlene Farms, building both their cattle and hog herds, along with their overall operation. As the business expands, their sons, Glenn and Robert, join the operation in the 1960s and 1970s, fueling further growth.
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1964
Sniders’ first butcher shop is built
As demand for their products grows, the Sniders continue expanding and modernizing their operations. In 1964, they build their first butcher shop. By 1969, they add a larger, more advanced cooler to support ongoing growth—affectionately known at the time as “the Big Cooler.” It remains a vital part of the facility today, a lasting symbol of our heritage and a tribute to our roots as “the little butcher shop that grew.”
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1982
Conestoga Meat Packers is founded
Founded by the Wells family in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, Conestoga Meats begins processing wholesome, farm-fresh pork. The following year, a fire devastates the original processing area, but the Sniders’ resilience and determination lead them to rebuild in 1984 with enhanced equipment and expanded capacity. During this period, Pete Weiland, a former employee, purchases Farmers Meat Market in Kitchener, deepening the Sniders’ ties to the local community.
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1988
Harold Snider Ltd. is sold to the Wells family
In 1988, Harold Snider Ltd. is sold to the Wells family and becomes Conestoga Meat Packers Ltd. The Snider family continues to own the farmland until 1999, when it is sold to the company—marking the completion of the transition to a new era.
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1994
Progressive Pork Producers is founded
With a large group of family-run farms working together, Progressive Pork Producers Cooperative forms a new kind of co-operative with a self-sustaining business model unmatched in all of Canada. PPP farmers are all land-based operators, growing the crops that feed the hogs that they produce.
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2001
Conestoga Meats becomes farmer-owned
Conestoga Meats becomes a leading hog processor, with a capacity to process 3,000 hogs per week.
Progressive Pork Producers purchases Conestoga Meat Packers and becomes fully farmer-owned. Farmers not only produce our products but also own the processing plant in Southwestern Ontario.
The Progressive Pork Producers farmer-owned co-operative began around generations of family meals, where farm-fresh, wholesome pork always had a place at the table. Long, hard days working their Ontario fields gave our farmers pride in the land and in the hogs they raised. Our founders believed that by working together, they could share the pork their families loved with the rest of the world.
That dream—to share our farmers’ premium pork—continues to inspire us. We care about each step of the process, from the grains we grow to feed our hogs to the quality of the meat we serve. Every farm is family-owned and operated, with decades of experience producing exceptional pork. Today, we carry that same care into every aspect of our work. Our farmer-owners came together not just as a group of proud farmers—but as a family.
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2001-2005
Conestoga Meats establishes a growth plan
Since the beginning, we have followed the kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement. We strive to understand and incorporate industry best practices into our facility. From 2001-2005 we increased production by 100%.
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2014
Conestoga Meats increases production by 100%
Through our core expansion program, best in class automation, and process improvements, Conestoga Meats doubles production becoming the second-largest pork producer in Ontario.
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2016
Conestoga Meats launches a new training initiative
“Our Journey to the World’s Best” leadership training initiative launches to further support one of our core business values; our people are the foundation of our success.
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2017
Conestoga Meats is recognized
Conestoga receives the “Business of the Year Award” from the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce, as well as the “Ontario Food Exporter Award” and the “Canadian Export Business Award.”
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2018
Conestoga Meats keeps growing
Our new 2,400-hog capacity barn and state-of-the-art kill floor officially open. With these updates to our processing facility, Conestoga achieves record-breaking daily slaughter numbers and is well-positioned for future growth.
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2020
Conestoga Meats receives recognition
Conestoga is named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies—one of Canada’s leading business awards programs, recognizing excellence in privately owned Canadian companies.
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Today
A trusted name in the industry
Conestoga Meats continues to be a trusted name in the meat industry, known for its unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. We continue to build on our rich heritage, providing premium products to customers while fostering strong, lasting relationships with the communities we serve.