Challenge
For Little Mushroom Catering, food service has always been about more than just great meals. As a certified B Corp and Feast On designated business in Southwestern Ontario, the organization is deeply committed to a triple bottom line: prioritizing people, the planet, and profit.
From paying living wages and investing in local composting to sourcing much of its food and beverages from regional producers, Little Mushroom Catering operates with a strong focus on environmental sustainability, local economic support, and an inclusive workplace culture.
Operating a high-volume catering business; frequently executing three to four events a day, seven days a week requires a steady and reliable team. While the company boasts an impressive 95% retention rate, ongoing growth means there is a continuous need for dedicated team members who share their core values.
To maintain these high standards, Little Mushroom Catering needed a hiring approach that went beyond standard online job boards and automated systems. Traditional recruitment platforms often lack personal connection, consumed valuable time, and failed to filter for candidate value alignment. The company required a recruitment partner that understood its human-centric philosophy and could deliver a vetted, supported pipeline of talent without relying on impersonal processes.
Solution
Little Mushroom Catering partnered with EmployNext powered by Serco to streamline its recruitment process while remaining true to its people-first values.
EmployNext provided a tailored recruitment model that connects employers directly with local service providers and job seekers. Through this collaboration, job opportunities are posted across dedicated networks, broadening outreach to diverse local candidate pools.
The partnership drastically reduced the administrative burden of hiring for Little Mushroom Catering’s busy team. Candidates introduced through the network arrive fully vetted with reviewed qualifications, ensuring they are prepared for employment. Crucially, the process ensures candidates receive wraparound support from employment service providers throughout their application journey, guaranteeing that even applicants who aren’t selected continue to receive guidance toward their next career step.
Beyond direct hiring, the partnership enabled deeper regional engagement. Little Mushroom Catering participates in EmployNext’s Employer Advisory Table, joining peer networks to share insights, build relationships with other local businesses, and foster collaborative connections across the business community.
Benefit
Partnering with EmployNext has allowed Little Mushroom Catering to fulfill its hiring needs through a process that reflects its core organizational values.
The business has benefited from a cost-free, highly effective service that saves significant administrative time while delivering double the visibility among qualified local applicants. By working directly with real people rather than relying on automated algorithms, the company has maintained a warm, human-centered recruitment experience that enhances fit and long-term retention.
The collaboration has also opened doors to meaningful community building. Through participation in regional advisory calls, Little Mushroom Catering has formed valuable peer-to-peer relationships and broadened its local network within Southwestern Ontario.
As Little Mushroom Catering continues to expand its operations and uphold its commitment to social and environmental responsibility, EmployNext remains a trusted partner in building a strong, community-focused workforce rooted in shared values.
“I’m not lost as a number or in a system, but I’m actually taken care of by real humans to real humans.” — Little Mushroom Catering
