The beliefs of KC Cattle Co., Weston, Missouri, are grounded upon the experiences of its owner, Patrick Montgomery, a former member of First Ranger Battalion of the US Army. Upon completing his military service, at the age of 28, he went back to school and finished his degree in food science at Univ. of Missouri. He then bought a farm and started raising wagyu cattle. Today his company employs only veterans and donates to a number of veterans foundations.

Recently the online company offered a special promotion in honor of Veteran’s Day and donated $3 for every pound of meat sold to War Horses for Veterans Foundation. For Montgomery, it’s not about making money. It’s about making a difference.

“I wake up every day and I live my life for those friends that can’t anymore,” he says. “I think that’s the biggest legacy we can do as veterans is live for those friends that are not here to work by our sides anymore.”

All of Montgomery’s cows are raised in a stress-free environment to maximize meat tenderness and the cows are happy, he says. He uses no hormones or antibiotics and says the beef contains higher amounts of the good-for-you omega 3 fats.

“It’s good food for a great cause,” he says. “I just want to help them [the veterans he employs] find what their next passion is in life.”

While KC Cattle Co. currently only sells its meats online, the company wants to expand into retail distribution. Partnering with upscale restaurants and culinary professionals is also part of the plan. Montgomery believes the quality of the meat and its purpose are a story today’s consumers want to hear and will buy.