Sausage making: a relatively new twist on an old craft

Twisting a long tube of meat, vegetables and spices to make individual sausages is still fundamental to the art of sausage-making, but many processors of this traditional food are now abandoning the preservatives for more healthy alternatives

While the Sausage Guys have perfected tasty convenience without sacrificing nutrition, when sausage was invented 4,000 or 5,000 years ago, the preservatives were necessary. Back then using preservatives allowed the meat to be easily transported, which made good economic sense for butchers and also made it convenient for consumers.

Patriquin has always worked in the sausage industry. He learned everything he knows about the art of making sausages from his Austrian-born grandfather. In 2002, he opened a butcher’s shop with his wife, Roxanne Labonté, the other “guy” behind the sausages, and the one who takes care of the finances.

“Some sausage makers are adding a new twist to their craft by abandoning the preservatives“

Along with skipping the preservatives, all of The Sausage Guys products are gluten and nitrite free and have less salt and fat, adding to the appeal of health-conscious consumers who may not have previously considered sausage for their shopping lists. “We only use quality products and no preservatives,” says Patriquin. “You can taste quality, that’s what our customers tell us.” The “Guys” also produce two vegan sausages made from vegetables, quinoa and legumes, which taste good without trying to imitate meat.

According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), a growing number of Americans, especially the elderly, are turning to healthier sausage options including chicken and turkey sausages as poultry does not contain trans-fat. Also, more and more consumers are demanding organic hot dogs and sausages or products that are low in fat or sugar and even products containing meat alternatives (vegetarian and vegan).

Beef and pork are always sought-after meats by sausage lovers and The Sausage Guys have just added two new beef-based sausages in collaboration with Bœuf Québec.

The pandemic has opened up opportunities for Canadian sausage makers with new demand for local, convenient and healthy foods. The BBQ craze has also increased since the start of the pandemic.

According to a Canadian survey conducted by FCC in January 2021, when asked if their behaviour has changed since the start of the pandemic, 58 per cent said they are more likely to buy Canadian made or grown food, 56 per cent are more likely to look for Canadian made or grown food when they buy groceries and 50 per cent are more likely to think about how their food is grown or processed.

“Everyone loves sausages, even children. Our sales have increased by five times since 2015, we have the wind in our sails,” says Patriquin.

The Sausage Guys have global food safety and gluten-free certifications that will soon allow them to export their products. The Quebec company chose Windsor for the construction of a new plant. The project, which represents an investment of $3.8 million, will increase its current production capacity by 10 times, while hiring four new employees and preserving its factory and sales outlet located in Richmond. The new plant will be in operation by spring 2022.

Everything has an end; only a sausage has two ends, say the Germans. “It means that everything will come to end, but the sausage never will,” says Patriquin with passion. “Long live the sausages!”

Interesting facts about sausages :

• An estimated $733M in sausage sales over the past 12 months in Canadian grocery stores. The majority being exact weight packaged sausages.
• Sausage makes up approximately 5.9 per cent of grocery meat sales.
• Average selling price of $11.39/kg. Beyond meat is ~$21.18/kg.
• The months of May-Aug are the big selling season, sales during those four months cover 43.5 per cent of annual sales.
• Canada is a net importer of sausages. Canadian exports have picked up since 2018, but imports remain the number one source of sausage consumption.
• The word “sausage” was first used in English in the mid-15th century, spelled “sawsyge”. This word came from old French saussiche (modern French saucisse). The French word came from latin salsiccia (sausage) and from salsicus (seasoned with salt).

FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture and food lender