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/.

EDMONTON, AB, May 1, 2026 /CNW/ - Popeyes Canada is proud to announce the return of Ben's Day, an annual fundraising initiative honouring the life and legacy of Ben Stelter, with proceeds supporting the Ben Stelter Foundation and its mission to advance childhood cancer care.

The initiative builds on the success of its inaugural year, which raised more than $31,000 for the Ben Stelter Foundation through a combination of guest donations and proceeds from Ben's Day sales. This year, Popeyes Canada and its franchise partners are aiming even higher - with a goal of raising $50,000 to further support families facing childhood cancer.

"Ben's Day at Popeyes holds a very special place in our hearts," said Mike and Lea Stelter. "Popeyes was one of Ben's favourite meals - something he would ask for on birthdays and special occasions - so seeing our community come together on his birthday to enjoy his favourite food in support of the Ben Stelter Foundation is incredibly meaningful to our family."

Funds raised through Ben's Day support the Foundation's work to improve access to advanced treatments, including proton therapy, and to provide critical support for children and families navigating cancer diagnoses.

"Ben had a way of bringing people together through his love for our community and courage beyond his years," said Kyle Ferbey, COO of Synergy Franchising. "Ben's Day isn't just a fundraiser - it's a reminder of what one little boy inspired in all of us."

Ben Stelter, a beloved hockey superfan, captured the hearts of Canadians with his strength, positivity, and unwavering spirit during his battle with cancer. Ben's Day celebrates his legacy by uniting the community around a shared cause and helping ensure better outcomes for children facing similar diagnoses.

Guests can take part by visiting participating Popeyes locations across Northern Alberta and Edmonton. For the entire month of May, for every Ben's Favourite Meal (3 pc Tenders, Regular Fries, Regular Mac and Cheese, a Medium Beverage and a Collector's Cup for $14.99) or individual Collector's Cup purchased, $1 will be donated to the Ben Stelter Foundation at participating locations. Additionally, to honour Ben's birthday, on May 27th, a portion of net proceeds from sales at participating locations will also be donated. Guests can support the cause through in-store donations or by simply enjoying a meal in honour of Ben.

Vancouver, B.C., April 30, 2026 – This summer, hospitality vets and brothers Justin and Cristian Isidro are bringing a lifelong dream to life with the opening of Maria Celeste, named in tribute to their mãe (mother in Portuguese). Located at 4181 Fraser Street in Vancouver’s Fraserfood, the intimate 36-seat Portuguese restaurant will be a tribute to Portugal’s cherished tascas – everyday neighbourhood gathering places, where food, wine, and conversation unfold naturally.

At Maria Celeste, the brothers draw on their respective career experiences into one shared vision. Justin, longtime director of operations of Kissa Tanto and founder of Vìnicola Portugal, will lead the front-of-house, while Cristian (previously Kissa Tanto, Lisboeta in London, and Cozinha das Flores in Porto) helms the kitchen.

“Tascas were always about more than what was on the table,” says Justin. “They were about the community and being a welcoming place for everyone. Our goal with Maria Celeste is to capture the familial essence that flows through these culinary institutions scattered throughout Portugal. There’s nothing quite like it in Vancouver yet.”

The menu offers a heartfelt homage to Portugal, while highlighting British Columbia’s seasonal ingredients. Cristian is currently developing and refining dishes that reflect both tradition and place, with early examples including: Bacalhau à Brása comforting dish of salted cod, and crisp potatoes; Arroz de Marisco a rich, brothy seafood rice layered with coastal flavours; and the Pastel de Nata, Portugal’s iconic custard tart with a delicate, caramelized top.

Justin is also developing a curated all-Portuguese wine list that explores the country’s depth and diversity. Rooted in regionality, it will offer a thoughtful exploration of the country’s varied terroirs, from the structured reds of the Alentejo to the freshness of Vinho Verde and the elegance of the Bairrada. Guided by the philosophy of “vou para a terra” – a deep respect for place – the program highlights both historic producers and small-scale growers.

Both Justin and Cristian are working on the interior design together with Studio Roslyn, which will feature warm wood, aged materials, and nostalgic touches in the 1,300 square foot space. Once completed, it will reflect the essence of the traditional tasca: honest, familiar, and unadorned, where atmosphere is felt rather than designed.

“Our food is rooted in the way we lived and ate in Portugal. Simple, generous, and deeply connected to place and memory,” adds Cristian. “At Maria Celeste, we cook traditional Portuguese dishes through a modern lens, shaped by our own experiences and the things we love to eat. We’ll be utilizing the fresh ingredients we have right here in B.C., in addition to some unique flavours from home. Our cooking begins with necessity and ends in pleasure. We make the most of every ingredient, allowing one dish to lead into another, carrying forward a deeply Portuguese way of cooking.”

Maria Celeste is currently slated to open later this summer. To stay up-to-date, please, please visit mariaceleste.ca and @mariaceleste.yvr on Instagram.

TORONTO, ON — April 27, 2026 — As We Do Chocolate Company Inc. officially announced its launch today, aiming to fill a massive gap in the North American market by becoming Canada’s premier scaled, chef-led, bean-to-bar chocolate producer. Founded by world-class chef Brandon Olsen and veteran entrepreneur Michael Held, the company is set to redefine how premium chocolate is made and sourced in Canada.

While Canada is projected to consume over $5.4 billion in chocolate in 2025, nearly all premium supply for the hospitality and foodservice sectors is currently imported from large European conglomerates. As We Do Chocolate is purpose-built to disrupt this model by offering high-quality, Canadian-made chocolate produced at scale using cutting-edge Italian machinery.

The company’s portfolio is designed to serve two distinct markets: Wholesale Hospitality, providing professional-grade pellets, cocoa butter and cocoa powder, and batons for chefs, bakeries, and hotels; and Retail/Gifting, featuring premium chocolate bars and custom-labeled corporate gift solutions.

The partnership between Chef Brandon Olsen and entrepreneur Michael Held brings together two rare profiles to ensure that As We Do Chocolate achieves both world-class product excellence and disciplined operational growth. By fusing elite culinary artistry with proven expertise in scaling profitable businesses, the founders are uniquely positioned to build Canada’s next great chocolate company:

·       Brandon Olsen (Co-Founder): A renowned chef and chocolatier with decades of experience at elite institutions such as Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry. Known for creating Toronto’s "most Instagrammable dessert," the Ziggy Stardust Disco Egg, Olsen is transitioning from chocolatier to chocolate maker to oversee every step of the bean-to-bar process.

·       Michael Held (Co-Founder): A seasoned business builder who previously founded a digital mental health company from scratch, scaling it to a $50M ARR business and taking it public at a half-billion-dollar valuation. Held brings nearly 35 years of experience in strategic growth and capital management to ensure As We Do captures substantial market share.

“I have spent two decades working in some of the world’s best kitchens, and I’ve always seen a glaring need for a high-quality, Canadian-made chocolate that chefs and hotels can actually rely on at scale," said Brandon Olsen, Co-Founder. "As We Do is about reclaiming that craft. We aren’t just making another chocolate bar; we are building a new gold standard for the industry, focusing on pure, natural ingredients and the meticulous care that only a chef-led company can provide.”

"Canada is a nation of chocolate lovers, yet we source almost all of our premium product from elsewhere. The opportunity to build a scaled, sustainable, and truly Canadian champion in this category is immense," added Michael Held, Co-Founder. "By combining Brandon’s world-class culinary know-how with my experience in scaling profitable, strategic businesses, we are uniquely positioned to win. Our Kickstarter is the first step in inviting our community to join us in building what will become one of the world’s greatest chocolate companies." 

The company is currently completing its 16,000 square foot Toronto facility, slated to open to the public in late summer 2026.

For more information, visit aswedochocolate.com or follow @aswedochocolate on social media.