WILMINGTON, N.C., July 29, 2026 – Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), the world's leading certification and labeling program for responsibly farmed seafood, is helping more North American consumers make informed choices by building trust across the seafood value chain. Farmed seafood now accounts for over half of all seafood consumed globally, yet new research suggests many shoppers and diners still need help navigating seafood choices.

ASC's largest-ever consumer study, surveying nearly 15,000 consumers across 14 countries, found that independent certification programs are the most trusted source of seafood sustainability information globally, ranking ahead of environmental organizations, seafood brands and retailers. Yet less than half of Canadian seafood consumers are familiar with seafood certification labels, highlighting a significant opportunity for education around seafood sourcing.

Key findings from the research, which will be released in full later this year, include:

• Only 49% of Canadian seafood consumers recognize seafood certification labels on products.
• Less than half of the respondents in Canada (43%) claim: I specifically look and ask for fish/seafood that is sustainably sourced.
• Independent certification programs are the most trusted source of seafood sustainability information globally.
• ASC is the most recognized and trusted farmed seafood certification label globally and in key local markets, with particularly strong recall among Canadian consumers.
• Campaign recognition and sustainability message recall were highest in North America, demonstrating growing awareness reflected by ASC's consumer education and national marketing efforts.

“The latest research reveals a shift in consumer thinking,” said Athena Davis, Marketing Manager, ASC. “Sustainability is no longer just an environmental consideration – increasingly, it’s becoming a signal of the quality, health and confidence shoppers look for when buying seafood. While taste, health and quality remain the primary drivers of seafood purchases, trusted certification helps people identify products that deliver those attributes. The results are clear that the trust and intention are there, but converting those attributes into purchases that make a positive impact is where we must focus. This reinforces our continued effort to build awareness and interest in the value behind the ASC label, especially among those who are eating and leading sustainable seafood.”

ASC is translating these insights into action through its North American marketing campaign – the organization’s largest in history, now in its fifth year. In 2026, ASC’s focus is on connecting shoppers and diners to responsibly farmed seafood at every step of the value chain: from farm to store to kitchen.

From the Farm: Experiencing Responsibly Farmed Fish Firsthand

In April, ASC partnered with Riverence Provisions to host a farm tour for media, influencers and industry stakeholders, providing a firsthand look at the strict practices behind ASC-certified and labeled seafood. Attendees explored Riverence's brood facilities and fish farming operations to learn about fish welfare, water stewardship, traceability and the innovations that shaping the future of responsible seafood production. Also on the tour was Barton Seaver – chef, educator, seafood advocate and co-author of the Blue Food Cookbook. 

“Seafood, and especially farmed seafood, can be a real mystery to many. As chefs we have an opportunity – and a responsibility – to help everyone better understand where their seafood comes from,” said Seaver. “Responsibly farmed seafood plays an essential role in feeding our growing population and creates jobs and economic opportunity through new food systems. It’s also a delicious, nutritious and meaningful addition to our plates that sparks joy. The more we can educate the public on the value and virtue of farmed seafood done right, and how organizations like ASC are driving change, the more deftly we can navigate our seafood choices – for healthier people and a healthier planet.” 

Through the Kitchen: Chefs and Culinary Leaders Discuss the Future of Seafood

ASC is actively engaging chefs, farmers, distributors and foodservice professionals in activities and conversations about the role seafood farming plays in the future of our food systems.

Earlier this year, ASC participated in the Oyster Educators Summit in Seattle, bringing together shellfish leaders from across the industry to explore the world of sustainably grown oysters. A highlight of the event included a night tide experience hosted by Taylor Shellfish Farms, where attendees donning headlamps and shucking knives dove into Washington’s winter oystering rituals to gain a deeper understanding of oyster farming practices and their connection to coastal communities.

The conversation continued at the 20th Annual Terroir Symposium in Calgary this May, where ASC joined chefs, culinary educators, farmers and foodservice leaders from Canada and around the world to celebrate “The Joy of Food” during culinary exhibitions across the city, including at the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo, the Calgary Opera and the Calgary Public Library.

The interactive multi-day symposium highlighted responsibly farmed seafood dishes from ASC-certified partners, curated by celebrated area chefs with a menu of:

• Taylor Shellfish Geoduck Clam Carpaccio by Chef May Ng of Satsuki
• Blue Ocean Mariculture Hawaiian Kanpachi Sashimi by Chef Satoru Kogo of 5 Senses
• High Liner Basa Crudo by Chef Sam Badgley of Milpa
• High Liner Shrimp and Noble Bison Wonton Crisps by Chef Matthias Fong of Foxtrot
• High Liner Prawn Pandesan Roll by Chef Leroy Borrega of the Wilde

“We strongly believe in ASC’s work to protect the future of our seafood supply chains and advance responsible aquaculture,” said Arlene Stein, Founder, Terroir Symposium. “Their commitment to advocacy and education within the hospitality industry is essential—helping chefs and food leaders make more informed choices and become part of building a more sustainable food system.”

To the Store: Retail Partnerships Help Shoppers Identify the Right Farmed Seafood

With over half of Canadian consumers still unfamiliar with seafood certification labels, ASC is bringing these conversations directly to shoppers through retail partnerships that make responsibly farmed seafood easier to discover, understand and trust. 

In June, ASC partnered with New Seasons Market to celebrate World Ocean Month across the Pacific Northwest through a campaign that spanned all 22 store locations. The promotion featured ASC-labeled seafood products, including Riverence Provisions trout, Kvarøy Arctic salmon, Ultra Natural shrimp and Cole’s Seafood tinned smoked salmon, alongside educational materials emphasizing the role that and responsibly farmed seafood plays in supporting healthy oceans and communities.

The campaign launched with an in-store activation featuring seafood tastings, giveaways and information about what to look for when shopping for seafood, supported by digital amplification on social media from popular content creator @cookingwithrel.

“At New Seasons Market, we're committed to doing business in a way that benefits the planet and our community. That means giving our customers confidence not only in the quality of the seafood they buy, but also in where it comes from and how it's produced,” said Athena Petty, Senior Manager of Sustainability, New Seasons Market. “Collaborating with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and showcasing their label on our products helps us make it easier for shoppers to confidently choose seafood that's responsibly farmed, backed by rigorous standards, to supports a more sustainable food system.”

To highlight ASC’s local partnerships with both New Seasons Market and ASC-certified restaurant group Bamboo Sushi, the organization hosted a Portland-Based preview tasting featuring a creative menu from Bamboo Sushi chefs starring ASC-labeled seafood from Kvarøy Arctic (salmon), Riverence Provisions (trout) and Blue Ocean Mariculture (Hawaiian Kanpachi) with seasonal, summer-inspired dishes. 

ASC will build on this momentum during the second half of 2026. As the organization celebrates its fifth “National Seafood Month” in North America this fall, it is preparing for several marquee activations, including a monthlong August seafood promotion with Erewhon Markets and participation throughout September’s Climate Week NYC. Together, these initiatives will continue expanding awareness of responsibly farmed seafood and the ASC sustainability label, while strengthening consumer confidence to drive real change in our food systems.

Speciality coffee, a fast-growing segment within premium beverages, is gaining prominence across retail, foodservice, and packaging space, evolving from an artisanal niche into a mainstream lifestyle-led category. This is driven by converging consumer demand for premium quality, personalization, functional wellness, ethical sourcing, and sustainable packaging. Brands are increasingly using specialty coffee, which is defined single-origin provenance, distinctive flavor profiles, and craft credentials as a versatile platform for innovation, according to GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

The shift is substantiated by GlobalData’s 2025 Q3 consumer survey^†, in which 51% of global consumers claim that information about country of origin, manufacture details, and professional certification on product packaging influence their product choices, while 67% agreed that they will buy more products from a brand if it aligns with their personal beliefs and values.

GlobalData’s Hot Topics Case Study: Specialty Coffee report highlights the rapid repositioning of specialty coffee, moving from an artisanal niche to a premium, experience-led beverage category, mapping the key consumer trends and commercial opportunities available to brands.

Functional wellness and personalization reshape innovation

Brands such as Four Sigmatic are helping popularize mushroom coffee made with specialty-grade Arabica beans, while other companies such as Artizan Coffee are exploring cold brew, flavor experimentation, and clean-label formulations to meet rising consumer interest in health-conscious indulgence.

Shagun Sachdeva, Practice Head, Consumer and Foodserviceat GlobalData, comments: “Coffee has always carried functional associations through energy and alertness, but specialty coffee is now broadening that role. By combining premium taste with functional ingredients and personalized formats, brands can position coffee as a daily wellness ritual without sacrificing indulgence or authenticity.”

Foodservice fuels premium coffee experiences

Cafes are evolving into social spaces, remote-working hubs, discovery platforms, and brand theatres where consumers engage with origin stories, brewing methods, limited-edition blends, and customized beverages.

Brands such as Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Starbucks, Intelligentsia, and Onyx Coffee Labs illustrate how specialty coffee can scale through cafes, omnichannel retail, digital ordering, subscriptions, and premium single-origin propositions. Foodservice operators are using cold brews, seasonal formats, functional blends, and visually engaging drinks to increase menu differentiation and appeal to younger consumers.

Sachdeva explains: “Foodservice gives specialty coffee its strongest experiential stage. Consumers can discover new tastes and formats, learn about brewing, and engage with baristas, in a way that packaged retail cannot deliver. That makes cafés, restaurants, and coffee-led chains critical to building long-term specialty coffee awareness, penetration and loyalty.”

Sustainability, sourcing, and traceability become commercial necessities

Sustainability is becoming a category requirement. For specialty coffee brands, farm-to-cup traceability and verified quality standards are becoming central to consumer trust.

Innovations such as home-compostable coffee pods and capsule-free coffee systems show how brands and packaging suppliers are responding to consumer concerns around waste while maintaining convenience and freshness.  Brands such as Luckin Coffee and Laviet Coffee are using direct-trade sourcing, single-origin claims, vertically integrated models, and sustainable packaging to build credibility. 

Sachdeva concludes: “The specialty coffee opportunity is commercially attractive, but it is also increasingly demanding. The winners will be those that can combine premium sensory experiences with responsible sourcing, functional relevance, foodservice engagement, and clear storytelling. Specialty coffee is moving beyond a beverage trend to become a durable platform for innovation across retail, foodservice, packaging, and consumer brands.”

^†GlobalData’s 2025 Q3 global consumer survey, 22,203 respondents across 42 countries.

VANCOUVER, BC, July 28, 2026 — Parq Casino has announced that it has named Suzanne Lalonde as its new Chief Executive Officer overseeing operations at the Downtown Vancouver stay-and-play destination located at 39 Smithe St.

Lalonde brings more than three decades of experience in the casino gaming industry across the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, the Caribbean and North America for organizations like Casino Austria International, Caesars Entertainment and PURE Canadian Gaming.

Lalonde began her career in the gaming industry as a casino floor dealer before advancing into leadership and operational roles. Her experience includes serving as Assistant General Manager at Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax, Executive Director of Casino Operations with Paragon Gaming at River Cree Resort & Casino in Enoch, Alberta, and holding several leadership positions with PURE Canadian Gaming Corp., including General Manager, Senior Vice President, and Regional General Manager overseeing Casino Calgary and Casino Lethbridge, two of the four casinos within the company’s Alberta portfolio.

At each stop, she continued to build on a reputation for operational expertise, people-focused leadership style and proven ability to build high-performing teams. As the new CEO at Parq, Lalonde will lead its next phase of growth and development with a focus on the guest experience, employee engagement, regulatory excellence and operational discipline.

“We’re very excited to welcome Suzanne to the team,” says Parq Casino Director Paul Bouzanis. “She brings a rare combination of front-line operating experience, senior leadership capability and a strong commitment to people. She understands that sustained performance comes from engaged employees, disciplined operations and a culture where teams are empowered to succeed.”

Like Parq Casino, Lalonde is also deeply committed to giving back and supporting the community at large and encourages teams to follow suit. She has been a volunteer and led fundraising efforts for Habitat for Humanity Canada, Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre Society, among other charities, initiatives and causes.

“I’m thrilled to join Parq Casino and work alongside its talented team,” says Lalonde. “My career has shown me that the strongest organizations are built by people who feel valued, supported and connected to a shared purpose, and I look forward to listening, learning and working together to build on Parq’s strengths.”

In addition to offering world-class casino gaming, Parq Casino is home to two luxury hotel properties — The JW Marriott and The DOUGLAS Autograph Collection — as well as The Spa by JW and numerous restaurants and amenities.

For more information about Parq Casino or to stay on top of all the developments and receive exclusive offers available only to members of Parq’s e-newsletter, please visit parqcasino.com.

Winnipeg, MB — July 2026 — Wayback Burgers Canada, one of the country's fastest-growing premium burger brands, is excited to announce its continued expansion across Ontario throughout 2027. Known for its fresh, never frozen smash burgers and hand-dipped milkshakes, Wayback Burgers is pursuing its growth nationwide. With 27 restaurants now operating across Canada—including two Ontario locations in Mississauga and Sarnia—and numerous additional restaurants in various stages of development, the brand is well-positioned for continued growth across the province. "Ontario is a powerhouse market with exceptional community pride, strong development opportunities, and a huge appetite for local ownership," said Ryan den Teuling, Director of Growth & Franchise Development for Wayback Burgers Canada. "We already have a strong foundation in Ontario, and we're actively seeking passionate franchise partners to help us bring our award-winning burgers to even more communities across the province. Prime territories across Ontario remain available, including major cities and rapidly growing suburban markets. With multiple new restaurants currently in development, Wayback Burgers is continuing to build a strong presence throughout the province. Discovery Days and business evaluations are now underway for qualified franchise candidates interested in joining one of Canada's fastest-growing burger brands.

The expansion into Ontario will target several high-potential markets, including priority cities such as Windsor, Sudbury, St. Catharine's, Kingston, Thunder Bay, Brantford, London, Sault St. Marie, Woodstock, and Peterborough. This strategic move aims to establish a strong presence and brand recognition while leveraging the company’s proven franchise model. Wayback Burgers aims to integrate into the Ontario market by offering products and services that resonate with local communities.

Wayback Burgers’ franchise model offers: A community-first approach that creates genuine local connections and is designed with a focus on unit-level performance and diverse revenue streams. The Canadian Corporate office provides comprehensive support tailored to Canadian franchisees, encompassing operations, marketing, and training. This robust support framework enables franchise owners to maintain high standards of efficiency and profitability, further enhancing the brand's reputation.

In addition to operational support, Wayback Burgers engages in strategic partnerships with developers, fuel brands, and real estate brokers to identify prime locations for new restaurants. These collaborations facilitate a smooth expansion process while ensuring that each new restaurant is situated in a high-traffic area, attracting a broad customer base. The brand's commitment to community-first initiatives fosters genuine local connections, enhancing the overall customer experience.

The company's approach to community involvement is evident through its partnerships with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and initiatives such as Burger It Forward, which aims to provide meals to food-insecure individuals. Each Wayback Burgers location also partners with a local charity of its choice, empowering franchisees to make meaningful contributions tailored to their community's needs. The company's engagement efforts aim to build connections with local communities and contribute to customer satisfaction.

As part of its growth strategy, Wayback Burgers Canada is expanding its footprint across Ontario. It currently operates two restaurants in Mississauga and Sarnia and has four additional locations under development. Through local brand-building initiatives, community involvement, and partnerships with passionate franchisees, Wayback Burgers is committed to becoming one of Ontario's premier burger destinations.

Ryan den Teuling, Director of Growth & Franchise Development for Wayback Burgers Canada, said: "Ontario represents one of the most exciting growth opportunities for Wayback Burgers in Canada. As we continue to expand, we're looking for passionate local entrepreneurs who share our commitment to great food, exceptional guest experiences, and making a positive impact in the communities they call home."