Our Aussie Oats Story!

The GF Oats Paddock to Plate Story:
From Vision to Reality A Dream Rooted in Resilience

GK Gluten Free Foods mission is to supply premium quality foods to people who follow specific dietary protocols. We manufacture and supply our product in an array of flavours and sizes to suit every table.

At GF Oats, we are committed to delivering the finest oats uncontaminated from the gluten contamination from wheat, rye and barley, while supporting local Aussie farmers. We are the largest suppliers of pure homegrown oats in the southern hemisphere. 

Here’s how our journey from seed to plate unfolds: (short version 😜)

Homegrown Aussie Oats: 

• At GF Oats, we’re proud to offer pure, uncontaminated oats while supporting local Australian farmers. Here’s how our paddock-to-plate process works:

  • Aussie Grown & Harvested: Our oats are grown in fresh, nutrient-rich soils, planted in winter, sun-dried naturally, and harvested in summer for optimal flavour and quality.
  • Crop Rotation for Purity: Farmers follow strict crop rotation practices, planting oats on fresh soil each season to prevent contamination from wheat, rye, and barley.
  • Minimal Chemical Use: We prioritise sustainable farming with minimal-impact techniques, avoiding crop-topping chemicals to produce clean, chemical-free oats.
  • Seed Integrity: Our farmers store their own seed stock to eliminate cross-contamination risks from commercial seed supplies, ensuring purity from seed to plate.
  • Global Standards: All oats are grown and processed under the Global Oats Purity Protocol, ensuring uncompromised quality and safety.
  • On-Demand Processing: Oats are pulled from seed stock throughout the year, steamed, rolled in dedicated facilities, and transported in clean, dedicated trucks to GF Oats HQ in Queensland.
  • Bug-Free Storage: Upon arrival, oats are frozen to eliminate pests before being packed by Endeavour, ensuring freshness and purity.

  By choosing GF Oats, you’re not just enjoying premium oats—you’re supporting Australian farmers and sustainable practices every step of the way.

Now the full Story of dream to plate...

The journey of GF Oats began with a challenge that transformed into a life mission. Kylie, founder of GF Oats, was living in the small rural town of Springsure, Queensland, where she was a teacher and a partner in a helicopter mustering business. When her children were diagnosed with multiple food intolerances, the struggle to find nutritious and allergen-free food options ignited her passion for dietary inclusivity. This personal journey of discovery led her to create solutions not just for her family but for countless others navigating similar challenges.

In 2000, Kylie launched Brighterlife Wheat Free Foods, a brand that flourished for over a decade, offering gluten, soy, corn and wheatfree  alternatives to customers. However, her focus shifted dramatically in 2007 when she discovered after a customer enquiry, that they had certified a variety of oats as gluten free oats in the U.S.

Kylie connected with GF Harvest, a family business in Wyoming dedicated to uncontaminated oats. This connection marked the genesis of what would become Gloriously Free Oats (GF Oats) in Australia​.

The First to Market in Australia
Bringing uncontaminated oats to Australia in 2009 was both pioneering and fraught with challenges. The Australian food labelling laws, unlike the U.S. and Europe, do not allow oats to be labelled as "gluten-free oats," creating a significant hurdle in market positioning. Despite this, Kylie introduced Gloriously Free Oats with the aim of offering a pure, uncontaminated product that could support people with gluten sensitivities and Coeliac disease​.

The initial import of 750 kilograms of oats came with unforeseen challenges. Many consumers and industry professionals were misinformed about the nature of uncontaminated oats, leading to widespread scepticism. However, the demand for a safe and reliable oat product persisted, driven by consumers seeking alternatives to conventional oats, which were often contaminated at the farm level​

Building Trust Through Compliance
Kylie’s commitment to quality led GF Oats to adopt the Global Oats Purity Protocol, a rigorous standard ensuring oats are free from wheat, rye, and barley contamination. Each batch undergoes independent testing in Australia, reinforcing the brand’s tagline: “The Oats You Can Trust.” This transparency and dedication to purity have positioned GF Oats as a trusted leader in the niche market of uncontaminated oats​.

Growing Local: The Australian Dream
From the outset, Kylie envisioned sourcing oats locally to create a fully Australian paddock-to-plate supply chain. After 13 years of dedication, that dream came to fruition in 2021 when GF Oats partnered with Australian farmers to cultivate uncontaminated oats. Avena Mills, based in Wandering, Western Australia, became a crucial partner in this venture, implementing strict growing and processing protocols to meet the high standards set by the Global Oats Purity Protocol​.

The shift to local sourcing wasn’t just about sustainability—it was a necessity born from the global supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising freight costs and limited U.S. stock availability accelerated the transition, allowing GF Oats to fully embrace their Aussie roots. Today, the brand proudly supports local farmers and businesses, embodying the true essence of paddock to plate​.

Challenges and Triumphs
Despite the transition to a local supply chain, GF Oats still navigates the complexities of Australia’s restrictive labelling laws. Products cannot be marketed as “gluten-free oats,” though they consistently test below the detectable gluten threshold of 3 parts per million (ppm). Instead, the brand educates consumers on the term “uncontaminated oats” and encourages medically supervised oat challenges for those with Coeliac disease​.

Moreover, GF Oats has had to overcome industry misconceptions about "wheat-free" and "low gluten" claims. Many oat products marketed as “wheat-free” are still contaminated with barley or rye, misleading consumers. By adhering strictly to the Purity Protocol, GF Oats distinguishes itself, ensuring every oat batch meets stringent safety standards​.

A Versatile and Nutritious Future
Today, GF Oats offers a versatile range of oat products, from traditional steamed rolled oats to ready-made mueslis and ANZAC biscuits. These products not only cater to the gluten-sensitive community but also appeal to health-conscious consumers across Australia and New Zealand. The range is expanding into health food stores, bulk food outlets, and selected IGAs, making it easier for more Australians to enjoy the benefits of oats​.

The Heart of the Brand: Community and Wellness
Central to GF Oats' mission is a commitment to health, transparency, and community engagement. The brand encourages feedback, offers tailored solutions for nut allergies, and maintains a strong online presence to answer customer queries. By fostering this connection, GF Oats has built a loyal customer base that trusts in the integrity of their products. Testimonials from customers highlight the impact of GF Oats on their health and wellbeing, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to quality and care​.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Trust

The GF Oats paddock-to-plate journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to dietary inclusivity. From overcoming initial scepticism to becoming the first provider of uncontaminated oats grown and processed in Australia, GF Oats remains a pioneering force. Their dedication to supporting Australian farmers and providing a safe, nutritious product exemplifies their mission to be “The Oats You Can Trust.”

As GF Oats continues to grow, they stand as a beacon for those navigating dietary challenges, offering not just a product, but a promise of health, trust, and uncompromised quality.

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