CanDisPro

Grace Hinz, Co-Founder

Characterized by time-honored culture and artisanal craftsmanship, Spanish cuisine celebrates authentic ingredients and a deep commitment to wellness. From Iberian ham, one of Spain’s oldest treasures, and chorizo, rich with paprika and garlic, to gourmet chips and delicately preserved seafood, every bite tells a story of passion for wholesome, flavorful food.

CanDisPro, a boutique importer and distributor for almost 20 years, brings the essence of flavorful and healthy Spanish gastronomy to Canadian shelves. Partnering with over 100 carefully vetted producers across Spain, it supplies a curated range of products, including meat, fish, cheese, herbs and spices, olive oil, vegetables and fruits.

A family-owned company, it offers end-to-end solutions from supplier verification and quality control to packaging, helping Canadian businesses access reliable, high-integrity Spanish offerings tailored to their market needs. Every product is backed by full traceability and compliance with Canadian and international standards.

“What matters most is offering healthy and affordable products,” says Grace Hinz, co-founder.

“I only bring in food I would serve my own family—free from growth hormones, pesticides and antibiotics. That’s the CanDisPro standard and it’s at the heart of everything we do.”

From Kitchen to National Shelves

The idea for CanDisPro took root in 2008, when Hinz was traveling to Spain with her family and young children. A mother of five with Mexican and German heritage, she was inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle and wanted to bring the region’s products, culture and traditions to Canada to share with her family and friends.

Returning to Canada, she launched CanDisPro from her kitchen, working with a baby at her side and a clear vision: bring Spain’s food culture home. She started with one of the most challenging product categories— Spanish meat. At the time, Serrano ham was nearly unknown in Canada. With a modest booth, a few legs of ham and some olive oil, she began building a remarkable business.

The breakthrough came when Costco placed its first order for Serrano ham. CanDisPro managed every detail, CFIA compliance, manufacturer selection and logistics, earning the retailer’s trust. Today, the company remains a valued Costco vendor, a reflection of its quality and diligence.

The foundation of CanDisPro was shaped with her business partner, Javier Millan, director of vendor compliance and quality control. A Spaniard with deep knowledge of regional specialties and strong vendor relationships, his cultural insight and dedication to quality remain integral to the company’s growth. Together, their commitment to excellence has positioned CanDisPro as a trusted bridge between Spain’s culinary artisans and Canada’s retailers, online stores and restaurants, private label organizations, grocers and food service distributors.

Understanding that Spanish cuisine is largely unfamiliar to Canadian buyers, CanDisPro makes consumer education central to its mission. Whether it’s a jar of roasted red peppers or marinated artichokes, the team provides sampling, recipes, hands-on support, packaging ideas and visual cues on labels to help buyers discover how to use and enjoy each product.

Hinz’s deep connection with Spain is a driving force behind CanDisPro’s success. She travels there frequently, attends trade shows and visits more than 80 percent of vendor facilities to ensure compliance with CFIA regulations and international certifications like IFS and BRC. With an office in Spain, its dedicated team supports ongoing oversight, verifying production standards, confirming export capabilities and monitoring for recalls or compliance issues.

CanDisPro’s operational readiness was clearly demonstrated back in 2018, when it met with a major retailer looking for a spicy chorizo. The retailer mentioned that his grandmother used to serve a particularly flavorful variety and wanted something similar. In response, the manufacturer adjusted the recipe. After five different batches—each one made spicier than the last—the product was finally approved for private label. To this day, it remains one of the retailer’s best sellers.

From large retailers and online stores to independent delis, the team delivers customized and specialized products. It offered free delivery and stayed open on weekends so customers could pick up their orders. During the pandemic, it waived minimums for small clients to help them stay stocked.

CanDisPro is driven by a team that shares the same passion and never loses sight of the joy in what they do. With family, friends and colleagues continually contributing ideas and feedback on new products, the team keeps the spirit collaborative, inspired and deeply connected.

Firmly rooted in a customer-first ethos and guided by health, heritage and quality, CanDisPro continues to deliver Spain’s original flavors to Canada—one expertly curated product at a time.