In response to the growing demand for convenient, high-quality coffee beverages, Second Cup has teamed up with Labatt Breweries of Canada and Station Agro-Biotech to bring an exciting, locally crafted innovation to grocery shelves: a premium line of canned ready-to-drink lattes. Now available at participating retailers across Québec, this collaboration marks a significant milestone for all three partners, combining their respective expertise in coffee, production, and distribution to create a product that stands out in a rapidly expanding market.
The new line of lattes—available in Latte, Mocha, and Salted Caramel flavors—offers a locally made alternative to major international brands. Designed for modern lifestyles, these ready-to-drink beverages cater to consumers seeking indulgent, high-quality coffee experiences without the need to visit a café. Whether enjoyed during office breaks, road trips, study sessions, or social moments with friends, the lattes promise to be a versatile addition to everyday routines.
Collaborative Strengths Drive Success
The success of this launch stems from the complementary strengths each partner brings to the table. Station Agro-Biotech, based in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, leads product development and oversees production using its state-of-the-art facilities—the only continuous canning process autoclave of its kind in Canada. This cutting-edge equipment allows the company to produce ready-to-drink beverages with exceptional quality and consistency while highlighting local ingredients.
Second Cup, a long-established name in premium coffee and part of the Foodtastic Group, contributes its decades of expertise in coffee roasting, blending, and flavor innovation. The company’s strong brand recognition in Canada adds significant credibility to the product line, assuring consumers of the high standards associated with Second Cup coffee.
Labatt Breweries of Canada brings a crucial piece of the puzzle: a powerful distribution network and its innovative BEES digital platform. This combination ensures that the ready-to-drink lattes are not only accessible across Quebec but also efficiently managed in terms of logistics and retail availability. By leveraging Labatt’s capabilities, the partners are confident the products will reach a wide audience, from urban coffee lovers to smaller regional markets.
Product Highlights
The new line of canned lattes offers several appealing features designed to meet the expectations of today’s coffee consumers:
- Caffeine Content: Each can contains 90 mg of caffeine, providing a satisfying energy boost without overwhelming the senses.
- Premium Ingredients: Made with Canadian cow’s milk, the lattes achieve a creamy, smooth texture that enhances the coffee’s rich flavor.
- Health-Conscious: The beverages are gluten-free, preservative-free, and contain minimal ingredients, appealing to consumers seeking cleaner, simpler products.
- Sugar Options: Starting at 17g of sugar per can (varies by flavor), the lattes strike a balance between indulgence and mindful consumption.
By combining these qualities, the ready-to-drink lattes aim to set a new standard for local coffee offerings, delivering both convenience and sophistication in a single package.
Embracing Local Innovation
This launch also highlights the growing importance of local innovation in Quebec’s food and beverage industry. Station Agro-Biotech’s unique canning technology not only ensures product quality but also reflects a commitment to supporting homegrown production. According to Patrick Simard, Chief Operating Officer of Station Agro-Biotech, “This project is a perfect example of the strength of Quebec innovation! Thanks to our continuous canning process autoclave—a one-of-a-kind piece of equipment in Canada, located right here in Saint-Hyacinthe—we are proud to have developed a product that stands out for its quality and showcases local ingredients. Together, we’re proving that it’s possible to innovate locally while meeting evolving consumer habits.”
This sentiment is echoed by Second Cup’s Senior Vice President of Business Development, Francis Turcotte, who emphasized the brand’s commitment to quality and convenience: “At Second Cup, our promise is simple: to offer premium-quality coffee. With this new product line, we’re bringing our expertise into a convenient, indulgent format that will be part of Quebecers’ everyday lives.”
Leveraging Distribution Expertise
Labatt Breweries of Canada plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between production and consumers. With its extensive distribution network and innovative BEES platform, Labatt ensures that these premium lattes reach a broad audience efficiently. Marc-Olivier Bourgeois, Vice President Quebec at Labatt, commented, “We’re excited to launch these new cold brew lattes in collaboration with Station Agro-Biotech and Second Cup. This product comes at a pivotal moment, as ready-to-drink coffee continues to win over more and more consumers. With our distribution network and BEES platform, we’re proud to make a product that reflects local expertise available across Quebec.”
The integration of BEES technology allows Labatt to manage inventory, optimize delivery schedules, and provide retailers with real-time updates, ensuring that the lattes are consistently available for consumers while minimizing logistical challenges. This combination of innovation, production quality, and strategic distribution positions the product for long-term success in a competitive market.
Meeting Consumer Trends
The launch of Second Cup’s ready-to-drink lattes aligns with broader consumer trends in North America, where the demand for canned coffee and on-the-go beverages has been steadily increasing. Busy lifestyles, coupled with a desire for premium coffee experiences, have driven growth in the ready-to-drink segment. By introducing a locally produced alternative, Second Cup, Labatt, and Station Agro-Biotech are addressing both convenience and quality, giving Quebecers a compelling reason to choose a homegrown option over imported brands.
The product also reflects a shift toward more conscious consumption. With its minimal ingredients, locally sourced milk, and gluten- and preservative-free formulation, the canned lattes appeal to consumers seeking transparency and authenticity in their food and beverage choices. This focus on health-conscious, quality-driven products underscores the commitment of all three partners to meet evolving consumer expectations while celebrating local expertise.
