Glebe Farm Foods has invested in a new on-site paper packaging machine to support more sustainable packaging across its retail range.
Part-funded by Huntingdonshire District Council’s Rural England Prosperity Fund, the investment has enabled the gluten-free oat-based food and drink manufacturer to begin a paper packaging trial on its flagship PureOaty porridge oats. The product is now available in responsibly sourced, recyclable paper bags alongside its original packaging.
The paper packaging is 100% recyclable and clearly signposted on pack, aiming to make disposal straightforward for consumers. The move aligns with changing shopper expectations and the company’s wider sustainability strategy.
Glebe Farm Foods grows and mills its own oats or sources them from farms within a 70-mile radius, and carries out packaging on site. This approach allows products to be fully traceable from field to shelf while helping to minimise environmental impact. The addition of paper packaging capability also means the business can offer this service to other brands seeking more sustainable formats.
The investment builds on a series of sustainability initiatives introduced in recent years. The company’s entire production process is powered by renewable energy, including three biomass boilers fuelled by oat milling by-products, removing the need for fossil fuels. Solar capacity has also been expanded with the installation of an additional 467kW of roof-mounted panels.
As a result of these efforts, Glebe Farm Foods has secured a place on The Good Shopping Guide’s Top 200 Ethical Businesses list.
