Land is Kin. Together, let's leave it better.
A vertically integrated, rancher and employee owned meat company
Founded by Cole Mannix in 2021, Old Salt Co-op brings together partner ranches across Montana that promote responsible land stewardship. Following their motto “land is kin,” Old Salt Co-op operates two restaurants in Helena, Montana: The Union and Old Salt Outpost. Both restaurants feature damn fine meat raised responsibly on partner ranches and other made-in-Montana products. Old Salt Co-op also hosts the annual Old Salt Festival on the Mannix Family Ranch in Helmville, Montana each June, bringing together wood-fired cooking, Americana musicians, Montana ranchers, and western makers in a three-day celebration of both land stewardship and community.
Old Salt Latest News
Old Salt Festival 2025 announces music and culinary headliners
Helena Independent Record
Union named finalist for 2025 James Beard award Best New Restaurant
KTVH News
I ate my way through Montana's cattle country - and found the perfect steak
Travel and Leisure
Land is Kin: Old Salt Festival celebrates local food and open landscapes
Montana Free Press
Montana has more cows than people. Why are locals eating beef from Brazil?
The New York Times
Meet our Founder
Cole Mannix is the founder and president of Old Salt Co-op. As a fifth-generation member of a ranching family from Helmville, Montana, his love for people, ranching, and land stewardship is deeply rooted in Montana. He founded Old Salt Co-op in 2021 to promote land stewardship, ecological health, and community through the production and sale of damn fine Montana meat. Cole continues to lead Old Salt Co-op's efforts to build a resilient, regional food system that directs more value back to the land and the people who care for it.
One of my mentors described land stewardship as an effort to create more heartbeats per acre. I think that's a pretty damned good idea.
- Cole Mannix
More Old Salt in The News
USDA grant boosts local ranching co-op's expansion
NonStop Local
Over 35 Million Dollars to Independent Meat Processors
Northern Ag Network
Old Salt Meat Co to establish USDA-inspected facility
Meat + Poultry
Helmville's Mannix Ranch hosts second Old Salt Festival
KPAX News
Maryland meets Montana: Chefs Head to Old Salt Festival
Baltimore Sun
Old Salt Co-op expands in the Helena market
AgUpdate
Producers start ranch-to-restaurant supply chain
Montana Public Radio
Co-op restaurant set to open with live-fire menu in Helena
Helena Independent Record
Old Salt Co-op begins sale of retail meat packages
KTVH News
Old Salt featured in Podcasts
Cole Mannix on building a multi-faceted regenerative meat brand
RegenBrands
Cole Mannix on building a vertically integrated meat business
The Natural State
Hosted by Ed Roberson of the Mountain and Prairie Podcast
Live from Old Salt Festival
Cole Mannix speaks about building community through land stewardship
Mountain and Prairie
Cole Mannix speaking on strengthening community and land
Stories of Action
Cole Mannix talks about establishing an earth friendly meat business
Planet to Plate