Expansion Continues with Five Acquisitions in Los Angeles, St. Louis, Columbus and Rhode Island

Westwood, MA -- April 3, 2003 -- Van Houtte Inc. (Toronto: VH.TO) announced today that its U.S. subsidiary, Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc., has acquired five coffee operations in the United States as part of a continued strategic expansion. Effective immediately, Filterfresh Los Angeles, Filterfresh Orange County, Ocean State Coffee, C&P Coffee and Filterfresh St. Louis will all operate as part of Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

"These latest acquisitions fit perfectly into our long-term growth strategy," said Roger Cohen, president of Filterfresh Coffee Service. "We will continue to pursue our strategy of growth through acquisitions, new product launches and partnerships with leaders in the industry."

In Southern California, the company has acquired Filterfresh Orange County from franchise owner David Shevel and formed a joint venture with Filterfresh Los Angeles and its owner Max Rivkind. Both locations will be consolidated with the existing corporate-owned operation, Filterfresh Southern California, to better serve this dynamic market. Filterfresh Southern California will now operate as a joint venture with Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc. as a 74% partner and Mr. Rivkind owning the remaining 26%. Filterfresh Southern California will be managed by both Mr. Shevel and Mr. Rivkind.

Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc. has also acquired two coffee operations in the Midwest. In Ohio, C&P Coffee will be integrated into the Filterfresh Columbus operation. In addition to the service staff, C&P's owners, Peter and Christine Diol, will also remain with Filterfresh Columbus, which operates as a joint venture partner, with 64% ownership held by Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc.

In St. Louis, Filterfresh will assume all of the employees of this former Filterfresh franchise operation and integrate the company into Filterfresh Bluegrass, a joint venture partner with Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc. Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc. holds a 64% ownership in Filterfresh Bluegrass, which services all of the Kentucky and greater St. Louis markets.

Additionally, Ocean State Coffee in Johnston, Rhode Island, one of the leading coffee service operations in the state, will become Filterfresh Ocean State. Filterfresh will assume six employees as a result of this acquisition and owner Scott Jabagjorian will remain as general manager of the newly formed operation. Filterfresh Ocean State will service a large customer base in Rhode Island and add to the density of the Company's New England network.

About Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc.
Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc., based in Westwood, Mass., is a subsidiary of Van Houtte Inc. The company, a pioneer in single-cup coffee makers, provides state-of-the-art equipment, beverages, programs and services to offices, manufacturing facilities, supermarkets, hotels, retailers and other places of employment. For further information on Filterfresh, its growth plans or franchise opportunities, visit the Web site at www.filterfresh.com.