About Old Major

Old Major began in 2016 with a vision to bring high-quality, locally sourced artisanal meats to the heart of Indiana. What started as a passion project quickly grew into a business rooted in the values of craft, sustainability, and community. Mark LaFay, founder and owner of Old Major, was known for his deep love of cooking, meat craft, barbecue, and dedication to traditional methods. With experience that ranged from backyard cooking to becoming a three-time Indiana State Fair BBQ Grand Champion and later authoring Charcuterie for Dummies, LaFay saw an opportunity to turn his passion into a business.

Old Major started humbly, renting commissary kitchen space to produce bacon made with clean, simple ingredients. Every product was crafted with old-world techniques but informed by modern innovation and technology. From the beginning, Old Major sourced proteins exclusively from Indiana farmers, building strong relationships with local producers and committing to quality and transparency.

Old Major's mission has remained clear:
To cultivate a workplace where the team thrives, strengthen the community by sourcing locally, and deliver high-quality food to customers.

Over the years, Old Major has grown, guided by core values: Servant Leadership, Staying Curious and Always Improving, Radical Candor, Idea Meritocracy, and No Nostalgia. These principles have shaped the business—from how the team interacts internally to how products are developed and improved. In 2023, Old Major moved from its original commissary space into a dedicated facility, allowing the company to meet increasing demand while continuing to develop creative, whimsical, and true-to-style traditional recipes. The following year, in 2024, Old Major expanded further with the addition of a 10,000-cubic-foot freezer, enhancing storage capabilities and enabling even greater growth.

Today, Old Major stands as a USDA-inspected producer of bacon and sausage. The product line ranges from true-to-style classic recipes to playful, unique blends that push the boundaries of traditional flavors. Every batch is carefully crafted with an emphasis on quality and local sourcing. Despite the company’s growth, its dedication to its roots and the community it serves remains unchanged.

At its core, Old Major is driven by a deep love for community and food. The company continues to honor its Indiana farming partners and ensures full transparency in its production process. Meeting strict HACCP traceability requirements, Old Major tracks each step—from receiving raw proteins to producing finished batches—ensuring consistent quality and safety.

Looking ahead, Old Major remains focused on delivering exceptional products while fostering an environment where its team can thrive. Believing in the power of great food to bring people together, Old Major is just getting started.

Want to join our team ? Check out current openings here. Every position regardless if it is gig work, part time, or full time, presents you with an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Come grow with us!

OUR MISSION:
To cultivate a workplace where the team thrives, strengthen the community by sourcing locally, and deliver high-quality food to customers.

OUR VALUES:

SERVANT LEADERSHIP: We lead by serving others, prioritizing the needs and growth of our team and customers.

CURIOUS & ALWAYS IMPROVING: We seek knowledge, embrace change, and continuously reﬁne our craft to achieve excellence.

RADICAL CANDOR: We communicate openly and honestly, showing respect while being direct and constructive.

IDEA MERITOCRACY: We evaluate ideas on their merit, giving voice to the best ones, regardless of origin.

NO NOSTALGIA: We learn from the past and then move on, unburdened.