The owners of MB Meat Company and some family members cut the ribbon to officially open their new facility in Judique. Joining them are Inverness MLA Kyle MacQuarrie, left, and Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow, right.
-by Augusta Hofman
MB Meat Company of Judique celebrated their grand opening this past Saturday, June 28th, making it the only provincially inspected beef abattoir in Inverness County.
Adding to the excitement of opening day was the official announcement that Agriculture Nova Scotia is investing $25,000 into MB Meat Company.
This investment is part of the province’s Beef Processing Program for the Nova Scotia Beef Initiative – an effort to support local farmers and to provide Cape Bretoners with locally raised beef. Prior to this abattoir, Cape Breton cattle producers’ farmers would have to send their cattle off island to be processed, thus significantly increasing production costs for farmers. “This investment supports local producers, strengthens our food system, and helps more Nova Scotian beef reach dinner tables” said Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow, who attended Saturday’s opening.
For co-owners Jared and Laura McNabb and Chad and Dawn Boudreau, news of receiving funding came at a crucial time. “When we were notified that we would be entitled to a quarter of a million dollars from the government, it was a massive weight lifted from our shoulders,” said Laura McNabb. “We were about three-quarters of the way through the build and had reached a point where we had to decide what would be prioritized and what would have to be pushed back.
McNabb also tipped her hat to the provincial government for making themselves available and encouraging them throughout the entire process.
“From the beginning the Nova Scotia Government has been in our corner. For getting inspected, it feels like it should have been really difficult, but when you have the government in your corner, like we did, it made things very easy for us” states co-owner Laura McNabb.
“We are incredibly grateful for this investment and the confidence it showed in our vision. The funding allowed us to purchase equipment and supplies that may otherwise have been delayed, while providing the peace of mind that our dream could be completed as intended. The province’s support has helped us build not only a business, but a foundation that will allow us to continue serving our community with the quality products and service it deserves,” added McNabb.
MB provides custom slaughter and and cut-and-wrap services to regional livestock producers, as well as selling product directly to customers through their storefront. “Our customers want to know where their food comes from and they want to support local farmers whenever they can,” says Holger Hartenstein, owner of the Chanterelle Inn and Restaurant in Baddeck.
The dream began decades ago for the McNabbs, who were, at the time, residing in Alberta. Realizing there was little need for another abattoir amongst dozens in Alberta, the dream came fully into fruition when they decided, alongside the Boudreaus, to return to Cape Breton to build their operation.
The funding allowed MB to attain equipment and supplies that would have otherwise been delayed, allowing for a smoother operation at opening. Currently, MB is processing two cattle a week, utilizing every aspect of the animal as possible, from tallow to bones for dogs. Although the funding does not necessarily affect the amount of weekly meat production, as it depends on the readiness of the animals, they are taking measures to increase production to three cattle a week if necessary.
When asked about more investments into local farming in the foreseeable future, minister Morrow said, “It is always the goal to increase the amount of local food production.”
“Our goal is to help more beef be raised, finished, and processed, here at home, on Cape Breton Island,” said Morrow. “MB Meat Company is a strong example of families investing in their community and building the kind of local infrastructure that supports farmers, rural communities, and our economy.”
Abattoirs in Nova Scotia processing meat for sale are required to have a provincial licence; the province inspects licensed abattoirs to ensure they comply with provincial regulations.
The province has committed $1.5 million through the Nova Scotia Beef Initiative: $750,000 for the Nova Scotia Beef Finishing Equipment Support Program and $750,000 for the Nova Scotia Beef Processing Program.
Through the processing program and the Beef Finishing Equipment Support Program, support has been provided to two abattoirs and 35 producers to date, helping strengthen local beef production across Nova Scotia.
There were 360 licensed beef producers in Nova Scotia in 2025. 4,397 cattle were processed at provincially licensed abattoirs in Nova Scotia in 2025.
Blissfully humbled by the support of the government and the Cape Breton community, the two families are excited to continue providing the community with fresh, quality products.