Maple Leaf Foods’ History

Maple Leaf fleet of trucks

For more than 100 years, we have served Canadians by delivering high-quality, nutritious food to their tables.

We have innovated, transformed, adapted and grown. We are proud to be part of Canada’s food history.

Tracing our food story

Maple Leaf Foods traces its roots back more than 100 years. In fact, our origins trace back more than 180 years to Grantham Mills, built in 1836 in St. Catharines, Ontario.

The Maple Leaf brand first appeared in 1898, but the company you know today formed in 1991. That year, Maple Leaf Mills Limited joined Canada Packers Inc. to create Maple Leaf Foods, one of Canada’s leading food processors. Shortly after, in 1995, McCain Capital and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board acquired a controlling interest in this new company.

Maple Leaf Foods also had a rich baking history as majority owner of Canada Bread. In 2014, the company sold all non-protein businesses to focus on its protein business.

Evolution of brand logo