We recently had the chance to connect with Gary Wall and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gary, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Many people misunderstand our business because they assume all meat is the same. They think supermarket meat is comparable to what we source from independent family farms — but it’s not even close. Grocery store labels like “grass-fed” or “natural” can be slapped on products that don’t reflect how the animals were actually raised. Our meat comes directly from real Midwestern family farms that prioritize animal welfare, clean feed, and responsible practices. The result is meat that’s fresher, more flavorful, and genuinely higher quality — not just marketed that way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Gary Wall, founder of Dude Food, a meat subscription company that delivers high-quality, farm-fresh meat straight from independent Midwest family farms to customers across America. I started Dude Food because I saw how confusing and misleading grocery store labels had become, and how hard it was for everyday people to know where their meat actually came from. Our mission is simple: make it easy to get premium, genuinely American-raised meat without the guesswork. What makes us unique is that we partner directly with small, generational farmers — no middlemen, no factory farms, no marketing gimmicks. Right now, we’re focused on expanding our network of family farms and making responsibly raised meat more accessible to households nationwide.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me the most about work. Growing up on our family farm, I watched him put in long days, handle tough problems, and show up even when no one was watching. He never talked about hard work — he just lived it. Seeing that level of commitment and pride in what you do shaped everything about how I approach business today.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were definitely times when things got hard and the thought of giving up crossed my mind, but it never lasted long. The mission behind Dude Food — providing customers with a clean, honest source of meat while supporting real family farms — is bigger than any moment of doubt or fear. Whenever things got tough, reminding myself of why this matters always pushed me forward.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the meat industry is that labels equal quality. Terms like “grass-fed,” “free-range,” and even “Product of the USA” are used to make factory-farmed or imported meat sound premium, when most of it doesn’t come close to what people think they’re buying. The industry tells itself that marketing buzzwords are enough — that customers don’t need transparency, just a nice label. But the truth is, quality starts on the farm, not in the packaging. That’s why knowing who raises your meat matters far more than any claim printed on a grocery store sticker.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I feel like I’m doing what I was born to do. Growing up on a farm gave me a deep understanding of agriculture and the hard work that goes into raising animals right, while my business experience allows me to connect that world to everyday people who want to eat healthy, high-quality meat. That unique combination lets me bridge the gap between small family farms and customers, creating a business that’s both meaningful and impactful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dudefoods.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dudefoods.co
