Our Story
The Northern Co-operative Meat Company Ltd is now ‘Casino Food Company Limited’.
An unlisted public company
Since 1933, we have built a strong reputation as a leader in the red meat industry, delivering high-quality protein solutions to both domestic and international markets.
Strategically located in the Northern Rivers of NSW, our operations benefit from access to some of Australia’s finest farming regions, ensuring premium livestock supply. Our proximity to the Port of Brisbane, a key export hub, allows us to efficiently service global markets with high-quality red meat products.
We are committed to excellence – continually enhancing our operations through investment in cutting-edge technologies, streamlined systems, and the ongoing development of our people. Our focus remains on delivering superior products and services that meet the evolving needs of the red meat industry.
Since 1933 we have established ourselves as an industry leader in meat processing.
Our History
From that inaugural meeting in October 1933 at The Royal Hotel Casino came the foundations of the Northern Co-operative Meat Company Ltd with Harold Imeson as chairman and James Watson as secretary.
Upon the formation of the Co-operative, came the objective of raising funds from potential members with the vision of building a processing facility to enable higher returns for farmers. Realising that progress was needed as soon possible the Directors created a plan to use the facilities at Imeson Brothers slaughter yard, and chill the carcases at Casino Dairy Co-operative until the Co-operative processing facility was constructed at its site in Casino.
The Co-operative has flourished for over 92 years within the Australian red meat industry and is recognised by consumers around the world by its Establishment No. 239.
However, the once critical Co-operative structure was deemed, no longer the best fit for shareholders. On 12 May 2025 the Co-operative converted to an unlisted public company.
Our Vision
We strive to be a sustainable, profitable and diversified company.
We operate as a company to provide best practice global food processing services and innovative solutions.
Our Shareholders
Our company has 464 shareholders producing quality livestock. Our shareholders are stewards of the landscape and invest in good farm management practices. We have a dedicated Member Liaison Officer, who works closely with our shareholders providing opportunities to participate in carbon farming projects, river & catchment health projects, soil club discussion groups and other educational field days and workshops. By working together, our company and its shareholders are strengthening the supply chain.
Find out more from the farmers themselves and about our current member services programs.
Our Culture
We believe in a culture where employees are able to contribute, feel supported, and be rewarded to take the initiative and do things better. This helps drive ongoing innovation across the business and help us live our overarching ethos of “Growing Together”. Our values encompass ‘taking pride in our work’, ‘working as a team & having respect for each other’, believing in ‘walking in the other person’s shoes & showing compassion’ and ‘striving to be better’ at everything we do.
We have started our Reconciliation Action Plan that supports our organisation’s contribution to reconciliation by developing respectful relationships and endeavour to create meaningful opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.