We’re excited for you to try these great locally made empanadas, we know you’ll love them from this awesome new local vendor!
Table of Contents
- Good Fillin Empanadas – Vendor Spotlight
- About The Founders
- Why Are These The Best Empanadas On The Market?
- What sets Good Fillin Empanadas apart?
- Fundraising Product Line-up
Good Fillin Empanadas – Vendor Spotlight
Supporting local vendors is one of the best ways to give back to your community. By purchasing from local vendors, you are supporting small businesses and helping to keep money within your local economy. One such local vendor that deserves recognition is Good Fillin Empanadas, a company that specializes in creating delicious, homemade empanadas.
About The Founders
Good Fillin Empanadas was founded by Maria and Max, a husband and wife team who immigrated to Calgary Alberta from Venezuela. They brought with them their passion for cooking and their love for empanadas, a traditional Latin American pastry filled with a variety of savory ingredients.
We knew Max Labhartd (the owner) when he was the Executive Chef at the Saddledome, he was our customer and he was demanding. He expected top quality and wouldn’t settle for anything less. It’s no wonder that his empanadas are top quality, just as I expected. It was an easy decision to list his products on our store.
Max Labhardt is a seasoned chef who has worked in kitchens downtown including the Marriott, Westin, and Hyatt. He’s currently the Culinary Director at Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, and has been the executive chef for the Calgary Flames for the last decade. His latest venture Good Fillin is a wholesale empanada business— meaning you’re likely enjoying his empanadas at Spruce Meadows, the Petroleum Club and at Calgary airport without even realizing it.
His empanadas are Venezuelan-style two-bite morsels that come in four different flavours: beef, chicken, wild mushroom, and vegetarian. The vegetarian empanada, filled with carrots, celery, onion, parsley, sweet potato, corn, and black bean, is by far Labhardt’s bestseller.
Our competitor only has the one variety box from GFS. We source direct, learn more here.
Why Are These The Best Empanadas On The Market?
The empanadas are made from scratch using only the freshest ingredients. The dough is made with flour, butter, and water, and the fillings range from classic beef and chicken to vegetarian options like spinach and cheese. Each empanada is carefully crafted by hand, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor.
“I wanted it to be for everyone. That’s why I have all those vegetarian and vegan options so we can make it for everyone. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to make an empanada.”
It’s also through the filling ingredients that you can discern an empanada’s country of origin—in Argentina, there are raisins and eggs; in Chilean empanadas, you’ll find a slice of egg and a black olive inside, while potatoes are distinctly a Colombian thing.
“The filling is the most important thing because it is the flavour you choose to eat,”
What sets Good Fillin Empanadas apart?
What sets Good Fillin Empanadas apart from other local vendors is their commitment to giving back to the community. In addition to their delicious food, they are also known for their grocery fundraisers featured on UR Fundraising. These fundraisers allow local schools, churches, and other organizations to sell empanadas as a way to raise money for their cause.
The grocery fundraiser works like this: Good Fillin partners with UR Fundraising, Calgary’s easiest online grocery fundraiser, where customers can purchase their empanadas. The proceeds from these sales are then donated to the organization that is hosting the fundraiser. This is a win-win situation for everyone involved. The organization gets to raise money for their cause, the grocery store attracts more customers, and Good Fillin Empanadas gets to showcase their delicious food and support a good cause.
One organization that has benefited from selling empanadas on UR Fundraising grocery fundraisers is the local elementary school. The school was looking for a way to raise money for new playground equipment, and the empanada fundraiser was the perfect solution. The parents and students at the school were thrilled with the opportunity to purchase delicious empanadas while also supporting their school. The fundraiser was such a success that they were able to purchase new playground equipment and even had some money left over to fund other school projects.
They’ve also been featured on UR Fundraising Stores that have partnered with local churches to raise money for their various programs. The empanada fundraiser has become a popular event for church members, who are eager to support a local vendor while also supporting their church. The proceeds from these fundraisers have gone towards everything from mission trips to building repairs.
Supporting local vendors is important for many reasons. Not only are you supporting a small business and keeping money within your local economy, but you are also getting access to high-quality, homemade food. The empanadas are made with love and care, and you can taste the difference in every bite.
If you’re interested in supporting Good Fillin Empanadas and their grocery fundraisers with UR Fundraising, be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming events. You can also visit their website at urfundraising.com to learn more about their empanadas. By supporting local vendors like Good Fillin Empanadas, you are helping to strengthen your community and make it a better place for everyone.
This unique product offering will become one of the best fundraising products in 2023.