From Passion to Purpose: The Story Behind Six Acre Meat Co.

4 days ago

3 min read

Sometimes, a great business starts with a simple thought: Surely, we can do this better. For James Erickson, that thought was about sausage.

After studying at Olds College in Alberta, James returned to BC with a new appreciation for what truly great sausage could taste like. Having spent years working at Wilson Creek IGA, he also knew there was an appetite on the Sunshine Coast for quality food made with care and transparency. The positive response to a sausage program he introduced at the store gave him the encouragement he needed to pursue something of his own.

In 2023, James and Kalee Erickson took the leap and brought Six Acre Meat Co. to life. As James puts it, "I decided to bet the farm, and go for it."

More Than Just Great Sausage

For James and Kalee, Six Acre Meat Co. has always been about more than making a delicious product. It's about knowing what goes into the food we eat, taking pride in the process, and contributing to a stronger local food system. Their approach is refreshingly simple: clean ingredients, careful craftsmanship, and no unnecessary fillers or binders.

"We pay attention to the smallest details when building the perfect sausage, and do not compromise."

Having worked in the meat industry since 2015, James has seen firsthand how much goes into producing food locally. The uncertainty of 2020 only reinforced his belief in the importance of food security and the need for communities to have access to quality food produced closer to home. "Access to good clean food should never be out of the question," he says.

Building Something From the Ground Up

Of course, turning a passion into a successful business takes more than a great recipe. For James and Kalee, one of the biggest challenges has been keeping up with demand while staying true to the standards that set their products apart. After two years operating from a rental kitchen, they reached a major milestone when they completed their own production space, giving them the capacity to grow without compromising on quality.

Their journey with Community Futures Sunshine Coast actually began years before Six Acre Meat Co. launched. In 2018, James participated in our business accelerator program, earning the People's Choice Award for an earlier business concept centred on local meat supply. While the business has evolved considerably since then, the underlying passion for strengthening our local food system has remained.

Along the way, James has gained a deeper appreciation for the many people involved in bringing local food to our tables. From farming and harvesting to butchery and production, every step requires specialized skills, equipment, and dedication. "It truly does take a committed community. No single endeavor can be successful without the help of others."

A New Chapter for Six Acre Meat Co.

On October 24, James and Kalee celebrated another exciting milestone with the launch of Six Acre Meat Co. at Fresh St. Market. For a business that began as a passion project, it's an exciting step forward and an opportunity to introduce their products to even more customers.

And they're not stopping there. With potential expansion to Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland on the horizon, the future is looking bright. But despite the excitement of growing the business, it's the everyday moments that continue to mean the most to James.

"Every day I'm proud of seeing our products bring happiness and healthy food to families all over the coast."

James and Kalee's journey is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a good idea meets determination, hard work, and a community that believes in supporting local. From those early days in a rental kitchen to seeing their products reach more and more dinner tables, Six Acre Meat Co. is building something worth celebrating….and as James says, they're "just heating up!"

Where to find Six Acre Meat Co.: Look for their products at Fresh St. Market, IGA in Gibsons and Wilson Creek, Clayton's in Sechelt, and specialty retailers including Unicorn Bakery, and Telegraph.

Starting something from nothing has been an eye opening experience, and every day I'm proud of seeing our products bring happiness and healthy food to families all over the coast.