British gluten free oat-based food and drink manufacturer Glebe Farm Foods has invested in a new on-site paper packaging machine, part-funded by Huntingdonshire District Council’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). The technology marks a positive step in the oat producer’s long-term ambition to explore more sustainable packaging options across its retail product range.
Huntingdonshire District Council’s REPF was a grant scheme for small rural businesses and community projects, supporting investment in equipment, buildings, and facilities to help grow and strengthen the local economy.
On receipt of the funds, Glebe Farm Foods activated the new machine, with the company’s flagship PureOaty porridge oats the first to undergo a paper packaging trial. The product is now available in responsibly sourced, recyclable paper bags as well as the original packaging.
The paper packaging is 100% recyclable which is clearly signposted on pack, making it straightforward for consumers to dispose of responsibly. The move reflects both evolving consumer expectations and Glebe Farm Foods’ ongoing commitment to more sustainable packaging production.
Unlike most food manufacturers, Glebe Farm Foods grows and mills its own oats or sources from farmers within a 70-mile radius, and packages everything on site, meaning every product can be traced from field to shelf with full transparency and minimal environmental impact.
With paper packaging now part of that on site operation, the company is also well placed to offer this capability to other brands looking to transition to more sustainable formats, without the need to invest in their own machinery.
The paper packaging machine investment is just one of many sustainability initiatives the company has implemented in recent years. Glebe Farm Foods entire production process is powered by renewable energy, including the introduction of three biomass boilers fuelled by by-products from oat milling, eliminating the need for fossil fuels entirely. Solar capacity has also been expanded with an additional 467kW of roof-mounted panels installed.
Due to this effort Glebe Farm Foods has secured a place on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s prestigious Top 200 Ethical Businesses list, underscoring the company’s commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Philip Rayner, MD and co-founder of Glebe Farm Foods, comments: “We’re always looking for ways to be more sustainable as a food and drink manufacturer, and moving to paper packaging is an important step for us. Today’s shoppers are making more conscious choices, actively seeking out recyclable packaging and moving away from brands that rely on unnecessary plastic – a move which we are delighted to see. But we truly believe new paper packaging isn’t just good for business; it’s the right thing to do for our customers and the planet.”
Mike Gildersleeves, deputy chief executive and corporate director for place, Huntingdonshire District Council: “Through the Rural England Prosperity Fund, we were pleased to support Glebe Farm Foods in investing in innovative, sustainable technology. This project demonstrates how targeted grant funding has helped rural businesses enhance productivity, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen Huntingdonshire’s reputation as a place where forward-thinking businesses can grow and thrive.”
