A new report, released by The Staffing Agency titled Beyond the Boom: Canada’s Hospitality Labor Market in 2025 and the Road to 2030, shows spending in Canada hit $104 billion in 2025, with employment higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Dining rooms are full again and travel has returned, yet the industry is still struggling to hold on to workers.

The Canada-focused report shows that hospitality operators are hiring, but not securing long-term staff. Termed as ‘labor paradox’, the report states that margins are getting strained by part-time roles where students, newcomers and temporary workers fill critical shifts. That keeps operations running, but drives turnover and weakens reliability.

Costs are compounding the issue. Labor is no longer just hourly pay. It now includes higher wage floors, added premiums in expensive cities, benefits and the ongoing cost of turnover and training. Margins are tightening even as demand holds. “In Canada, the wage increase isn’t a threshold; it’s the new baseline,” said Steven Kamali, CEO of The Staffing Agency. “The question now isn’t if we can pay more, but if we can make the model work.”

Another trend revealed in the report is that housing has emerged as the defining fault line. In major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal, workers can’t afford to live near their jobs. So, commute becomes longer and shits go unfilled. Union activity is also rising in urban centers, reshaping scheduling, pay structures, and operations.

Kamali adds, “The pressure is not limited to Canada. In the United States also, wage growth is outpacing productivity in many markets, while housing constraints continue to shape labor availability. Canada’s reliance on international talent adds another layer of sensitivity to policy changes.”

The path forward should be to build a more reliable talent pipeline, address housing near job centers, and tailor workforce strategies by region. Without this, growth will remain uneven. You can view the full report here.

May 6, 2026 – Toronto, ON – Lactalis Canada, the Canadian dairy leader behind iconic brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro, and Lactantia, and part of France-based Lactalis Group, today released its 2025 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting continued progress in delivering sustainable, responsible growth while strengthening its connection to Canadians, communities, and the broader dairy sector.

“In 2025, despite ongoing economic uncertainty, Lactalis Canada remained firmly anchored in our purpose: to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians through sustainable, responsible growth,” said Mark Taylor, President & CEO, Lactalis Canada. “We continued to deliver trusted products, strengthen partnerships across our value chain, and advance our ESG priorities in practical and measurable ways. As we look ahead, we remain focused on building a resilient dairy sector, supporting communities, and advancing ESG priorities in collaboration with our employees, farmers, customers, partners and suppliers.

With more than 140 years of heritage in Canada, Lactalis Canada’s products are now found in 94% of refrigerators nationwide, reflecting the strong trust Canadians place in its brands. In 2025, the company reinforced its commitment to local production through Buy Canadian initiatives, including consumer campaigns and expanded use of the Blue Cow logo to help Canadians make informed purchasing decisions.

The company also demonstrated leadership across the industry by becoming the first supplier to formally sign the Grocery Code of Conduct, supporting greater transparency, accountability, and fairness across the grocery supply chain.

Aligned with Lactalis Group’s global ESG framework, the report focuses on three pillars of impact: People & Communities; Authentic Products & Heritage; and Land & Resources, underpinned by priorities in Climate, Circular Economy & Packaging, and Animal Welfare.

Key 2025 highlights include:

People & Communities

• Recognized on Forbes’ Canada’s Best Employers 2025 list
• Contributed $3.4 million in community investment and supported 125+ organizations nationwide
• Delivered 2,400 employee volunteer hours, a 21% increase year-over-year
• Continued partnerships with Kids Help Phone and The Grocery Foundation to support youth wellbeing and food security, along with partnering with Second Harvest on its Food Rescue App

Authentic Products & Heritage

• Expanded product innovation, including high-protein and lactose-free offerings aligned with evolving consumer needs
• Maintained strong food safety performance, with 100% of distribution centres certified to recognized standards
• Advanced responsible sourcing, achieving 100% cage-free egg sourcing across the portfolio

Land & Resources

• Entered a $10 million decarbonization partnership with SOFIAC to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions at our Victoriaville and Laverlochère Quebec facilities.
• Awarded the Canadian Grocer 2025 Impact Award (sustainability category) for our Oshawa, Ontario distribution centre’s sustainable design
• Advanced circular packaging initiatives across our operations, including – among other projects – the conversion of the Balderson spreadable tub to a fully recyclable design and the replacement of foil on 45 million butter stick packs with a compostable parchment solution.

The report also highlights employee-driven innovation through the Next Ventures program, which generated more than 100 ESG-focused ideas in 2025.

To read Lactalis Canada’s 2025 ESG Report, click HERE.

Vancouver, BC, (May 5, 2026) — ACUYO, an elevated restaurant showcasing the depth, diversity, and sophistication of authentic Mexican cuisine, has officially opened, launching a new menu amongst Vancouver’s bustling dining scene. Currently in soft opening, the restaurant is celebrating Cinco de Mayo, a day celebrating Mexican history and culture, by announcing their official grand opening on May 15th, 2026. As part of the announcement, ACUYO releases its new menu, featuring a renewed culinary take on the country’s classic dishes and cocktails, translating the richness, tradition, and flavours of Mexico through thoughtfully crafted food and drink.

ACUYO was founded by four partners with roots in Guadalajara, Mexico, united by a shared vision to introduce Canada to authentic Mexican cuisine - grounded in tradition and presented with elegance, care, and intention. 

Owners Diego Ancona and Oscar Navarro set out to bring their dream of owning a restaurant in Canada to life, drawing from their experience building beautiful, thoughtfully designed restaurants in Mexico. Their long-standing relationship with Rodrigo Lopez, formed through years of collaboration in Mexico City, laid the foundation for a deeper partnership. Together with Chef Rodrigo G. de Quevedo, the group set out to celebrate the flavours, techniques, and dishes that defined their childhoods.

Sharing the same city, similar paths, and a deep cultural connection to food, all four partners aligned around one goal: to bring a truly authentic, elevated Mexican dining experience to Vancouver. Recognizing a gap in the market for refined, traditional Mexican cuisine, they saw an opportunity to bring their vision to life on a new stage.

ACUYO is the result of that vision. A place where heritage meets craftsmanship, and where guests are invited to experience the true flavours of Mexico, thoughtfully brought to life.

Head Chef Rafael Chavez leads Acuyo’s kitchen with a strong emphasis on collaboration, drawing inspiration from working alongside some of the most respected chefs and culinary influences across Mexico. 

“ACUYO is founded on honoring traditional techniques and regional diversity,” says Chef Rafael Chavez. “We’ve built our concept around the ‘calor’ of  every detail, from the food to the experience.” 

The tying of the restaurant to ‘calor’, the Mexican concept of heat linked to health, balance, and emotional energy, outlines the ACUYO team’s adoration for all things tradition. The name ‘ACUYO’ is the Indigenous word for the hoja santa, an aromatic Mexican herb that represents diversity, freshness, and the very roots of Mexico. 

“At its core, ACUYO is focused on delivering more than just a meal. We built a space focused on energy, connection, and providing genuine Mexican hospitality, where guests are welcomed in, encouraged to share, and immersed in a lively atmosphere. By combining traditional methods such as fire cooking and freshly prepared handmade tortillas, we offer a sophisticated yet approachable dining experience.” says ACUYO’s Diego Ancona.

Open for lunch, happy hour, dinner, and a late-night happy hour, ACUYO offers a full-day experience that transitions from relaxed daytime dining to vibrant evening service. The fluid menu is designed to grow and adapt, with new dishes and regional features introduced on a monthly basis, highlighting different regions of Mexico and varying seasonal ingredients.

The interior of ACUYO reflects the same philosophy as the food. Founded in elegance and warmth, the restaurant offers 84 seats with both dining tables and bar seating. Designed by ACUYO Rodrigo López, and adorned in décor sourced directly from Mexico, the space reflects typical restaurants of the country, featuring gentle earth tones, textured walls, and an intimate and vibrant atmosphere.

Edmonton, Canada (May 4, 2026) — The Little Potato Company, the number one Little Potato brand in North America, is expanding its focus in foodservice with the introduction of The Little Potato Company Food Service Solutions, a dedicated division designed to better support operators across key segments. The move marks a significant step in the company’s continued growth, bringing added resources, visibility, and expertise to the channel.

“Our focus is on creating confidence for food operators, we make it easier for operators to deliver great food, every time,” said Sanford Gleddie, EVP, Sales, Marketing and Business Development at The Little Potato Company. “Foodservice customers operators can count on consistency with Little Potatoes; reliable quality with uniform sizing, easy prep that works for all skill levels, a versatile product that works across the entire menu and year-round supply of potatoes grown by family farms across North America.”

A Little Potatoes Portfolio for Versatile Foodservice Needs

The new division will support customers across limited and full-service restaurants, retail, and hospitality, with additional focus on healthcare, education, and other institutional segments over time.

The Little Potato Company’s Foodservice Solution’s portfolio includes:

• Fresh Little Potatoes in larger pack sizes (4 x 10 lb bags, 25 lb cases and 50 lb cases): Little Yellows, Little Reds, Little Trios, Little Purely Purples and Little Fingerlings
• Sous-vide products available exclusively through foodservice

Whole or sliced for efficiency, ease of use, and taste, Little Potatoes help operators reduce prep time, streamline kitchen operations, and maintain consistency across menus and dayparts. Products are consistently uniform in size, cook to the same level every time and require no peeling, helping operators manage food cost and waste. Sous-vide options are ready in as little as two minutes, requiring no specialized skills or training. From package to plate, the offering helps to simplify back-of-house operations while delivering consistent flavor and presentation as a backbone for more innovative creations.

Grown and Packaged for Consistency, Efficiency, and Value Creation

This focus comes amid broader shifts in the foodservice landscape, where operators are balancing labor pressures, rising costs, and increasing demand for fresh, high-quality ingredients. Little Potatoes offer a versatile solution that can be used across a range of applications and menu occasions, with minimal additional ingredients or preparation required, keeping final plated costs lower.

The Little Potato Company currently distributes its foodservice products through major partners including Sysco and Gordon Food Service, as well as Restaurant Depot, with continued expansion underway.

As part of its growing commitment to foodservice, the company is also developing an integrated platform that will include expanded digital resources, product information, and culinary inspiration tailored to operator needs.

For more information about The Little Potato Company’s foodservice offerings, visit https://www.littlepotatoes.com/food-service/.