Vancouver, B.C., February 17, 2026 - , a hospitality-driven specialty coffee company in Canada, has been selected as one of the at No.15 – earning international recognition for a brand that began as a single café in Gastown in 2017 and is known for its pursuit of ‘coffee creating culture’. Today, Nemesis operates five locations across British Columbia, along with a standalone home for its popular pastry brand, .

“We are so proud and humbled to be named one of the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops,” says Jess Reno, founder and CEO of Nemesis. “This year, we got word we were nominated for the Top 100 list. I’ll be honest. Sometimes when things like this happen, we tend to brush past them — like we didn’t earn it. Then I look at our team, and the standard we’re trying to hold. The care. The effort. The way people show up every day.”

The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops is a global recognition platform celebrating excellence in specialty coffee and café culture. It’s rankings are determined through a weighted evaluation model that combines public participation and professional assessment: 30 per cent of the score comes from community voting and 70 per cent from an international panel of more than 800 coffee and gastronomy professionals. Coffee shops are evaluated on coffee quality, barista experience and technique, sustainability practices, customer service, space design and atmosphere, food and pastry quality, innovation capacity, and service consistency.

Reno explains, “To us, what matters most is that nine years ago, we opened a small door in Gastown, and it grew into something far bigger than we ever imagined. Along the way, more people found their way into that space, and this work began to mean something deeper. We’ve heard countless stories of people meeting their partners here, finding community during difficult seasons, building friendships, and feeling more connected to the city. Being named one of the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops is an honour, but what truly matters is the community behind it and everyone who believed in us, and continues to make Nemesis what it is.”

This special recognition coincides with Nemesis’s ninth birthday, which was just on February 14, 2026. “It feels poetic in a way. A little sweet and a little serendipitous…that this ceremony kicks off on Valentine’s Day. Our birthday. Thank you, everyone,” adds Reno.

Since 2017, Nemesis has built a reputation for its community-centred locations, acting as catalysts for creators and dreamers, through its inviting space, dynamic music, excellent coffee, pastries, and elevated brunch. Guests can explore Nemesis locations in Vancouver (Gastown, Great Northern Way), North Vancouver (Polygon), Surrey (Pavilion), and Coquitlam (TriCity).

For more information about Nemesis, please visit

Brossard, Quebec, February 16, 2026 – Nortera, a North American leader in frozen and canned vegetables, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gabrielle Fallu to the position of Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Government Relations.

In this new strategic role, Gabrielle will be responsible for external communications and strengthening relationships with government bodies and industry partners. The creation of this key position reflects Nortera's commitment to consolidating its leadership within the agrifood landscape to support local production and food sovereignty in Canada.

Drawing on her background in political science and journalism, Gabrielle Fallu combines strategic vision, communication rigor, and a deep understanding of public and media issues. Before joining Nortera, she spent nearly seven years at Exceldor Cooperative where she managed public and government relations in addition to serving on several strategic industry committees.

Her expertise is also built on a solid foundation from her experience in public and media spaces. Notably, she served as a press attaché and strategic advisor with several ministers in the Quebec government . Prior to that, Gabrielle began her career as a journalist for RNC Media and Bell Media. This unique career path provides her with a keen news sense and a sophisticated command of media relations.

Nortera is delighted to welcome Gabrielle to the team. Aligned with our priorities, she will leverage her expertise and extensive network to help advance the organization’s vision while strengthening our relationships with our partners.

TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2026 /CNW/ - Armstrong Cheese, voted Canada's Most Trusted Brand in the Cheddar Cheese Category*, has introduced a new High in Protein Marble Cheddar Cheese — an innovation that has already earned them the 2026 Product of the Year in the Cheese Category by Kantar.**

Rather than asking Canadians to rethink their meals, Armstrong's new High in Protein cheese offers a familiar, craveable way to boost protein through a food Canadians already know and love. 

"With Armstrong High in Protein Marble Cheddar Cheese, we set out to deliver the great taste Canadians expect from Armstrong Cheese with the protein they are increasingly seeking," said Tina Galluccio, Director of Marketing, Saputo Canada. "Being recognized as Product of the Year is something we are incredibly proud of, because it reflects how strongly this product is resonating with Canadians and how naturally it fits into everyday meals and snacks."

Proudly Canadian, Armstrong High in Protein cheese is lower in fat and high in protein, delivering the signature melt, stretch, and flavour for which Armstrong is renowned, without compromising the taste Canadians love.

The recognition as 2026 Product of the Year in the Cheese Category reinforces Armstrong's continued focus on innovation that resonates with Canadian shoppers.

Armstrong High in Protein Marble Cheddar Cheese is now available at major grocery retailers across Canada in cheese sticks, shredded cheese, and block formats.

*Armstrong Cheese was voted Most Trusted Brand in the Cheddar Cheese category (tie) based on Canadian consumer research conducted by BrandSpark.

** The Kantar Product of the Year designation is determined through a quantitative study using a nationally representative survey of 4,000 Canadian consumers, who vote on products across defined categories.

St. Louis, MO – February 11, 2026 –, a leading managed service provider delivering remote video monitoring, commercial security systems, business intelligence, and network services for multi-location enterprises, today announced that the fast-food hamburger chain, White Castle, has successfully piloted Interface's AI-powered exterior security solution - Virtual Perimeter Guard™ at a high-risk St. Louis location. The pilot delivered measurable reductions in loitering, late-night incidents, and security escalations while improving safety for employees and customers. 

The pilot focused on a location experiencing after-hours security challenges, including loitering, open-air drug use, customer pestering in drive-thru lanes, and repeated vandalism that cost thousands of dollars per incident.

Within the first 30 days of deployment, 91% of perimeter security events were resolved automatically through AI detection and live voice deterrence. The site saw a significant reduction in loitering, a reduced need for morning trash clearing, and late-night escalation calls dropped from about once a week to none. White Castle also reported improved employee morale, a stronger sense of safety, and increased customer comfort while waiting in late-night drive-thru lines.

“Sometimes we don’t even realize something bad may be happening, and the Interface Security experts are already intervening and telling potential criminals to leave,” said Cheryl Soest, District Supervisor at White Castle. “That allows our team to focus on serving customers instead of worrying about what’s happening outside.”

Proactive Perimeter Protection Replaces Reactive Security

Unlike traditional exterior cameras or prerecorded warning systems that are often ignored, Virtual Perimeter Guard combines AI-powered detection, escalating voice downs with powerful strobe lighting, and live security professionals who intervene in real time. The White Castle Virtual Perimeter Guard system is armed nightly when exterior visibility is limited.

“People don’t take prerecorded messages seriously,” Soest added. “When the lights come on, and a live person speaks, they move. They don’t wait around.”

“What this deployment of Virtual Perimeter Guard demonstrates is the shift from reactive security to proactive prevention,” said Steve Womer, Senior Vice President of Product at Interface Systems. “By combining AI detection with live human intervention, Virtual Perimeter Guard stops issues before they escalate into property damage, safety incidents, or operational disruption. White Castle’s results show how perimeter intelligence can directly improve safety, reduce cost exposure, and give operators peace of mind without adding burden to store teams.”

Safety Gains Without Operational Disruption

Installation and onboarding were completed without disrupting restaurant operations. Interface Systems managed system tuning, testing, and ongoing monitoring, while White Castle leadership received weekly insight reports, eliminating the need for on-site staff to actively monitor footage.

“We didn’t have to worry about anything,” Soest said. “They handled installation, testing, and walked us through everything step by step. The whole process was very easy.”

Supporting Employees, Customers, and Communities

Beyond loss prevention, White Castle noted improvements in employee confidence and customer experience, particularly during late-night operations, where perceptions of safety directly affect retention and traffic.

“If customers feel safe coming onto your lot, and team members feel safe working there, it improves your business,” Soest said.

Following these positive early results, White Castle is evaluating full-perimeter coverage at the pilot location and potential expansion to additional restaurants with similar challenges.

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