Just recently, Brent Erenwert joined CanAm Fresh after a long career in the fresh produce industry at Brothers Produce in Houston TX, most recently as CEO. Coming from the food service side of the business, this new role involves big changes. "I went from offering about 1,000 SKUs to 20 SKUs and from delivering packages to delivering truckloads," Erenwert says. Nevertheless, he is committed to utilizing the network he has built over the past 28 years and bring value to both his new employer and the industry.
CanAm Fresh was originally founded as Can-Am Pepper Company, a supplier of peppers for the processing industry. With a grower base of 10,000 acres in Ontario alone, the company mostly supplies their customers with product from late July through October. Over time, asparagus, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, squash, cucumbers, green beans, eggplant, onions, cauliflower, cabbage, watermelons, and more were added to the product portfolio and the company was renamed CanAm Fresh, referring to the diversity of products offered.
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12-month provider
Right now, most of the company's products are in season from March through October. "My goal is to connect with growers in different parts of the continent as well as in Mexico and Latin America to expand the product line and the production window," commented Erenwert. "End users prefer a one-stop shop year-round and by expanding growing regions and products, CanAm Fresh can become a 12-month provider rather than a seasonal provider of fresh produce." Erenwert is leveraging his relationships to bring more partners to the table and create revenue year-round without layering on overhead. "We would like to create a continuous revenue stream, even when it's -40°C in Canada and local product can't be grown."
While CanAm Fresh is vertically integrated, for some products, partnerships already exist. "We work with a grower in North Carolina for sweet potatoes and have some partnerships in Mexico on various items. In the Yucatan for instance, we have a watermelon and squash program in the spring which has been very successful. In the short-term future, the focus is on enhancing existing partnerships and developing new ones in hopes that overtime it all flows together and everyone wins.
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Uncertainty around tariffs
"The ongoing uncertainty surrounding tariffs has created significant challenges in forecasting both growing and sales projections," Erenwert stated. "With shifting policies that could lead to fluctuating import costs and the potential for sudden regulatory changes, predicting future pricing and supply impact becomes increasingly difficult." This volatility complicates effective planning, inventory management, and maintaining consistent margins, leaving producers, distributors, and retailers to navigate an unpredictable landscape. "Until more clarity is established, hopefully soon, this uncertainty will continue to disrupt long-term growth strategies and market stability."
For more information:
Brent Erenwert
CanAm Fresh
Tel: (+1) 281-830-6323
brenterenwert@gmail.com
www.canamfresh.com