USA – Bay State Milling, one of the largest family-owned milling companies in the U.S., has announced the acquisition of Bay State Milling Montana, further strengthening its portfolio of innovative food ingredients.
This strategic acquisition marks a significant step in the company’s mission to deliver trusted, natural products to the food industry, and brings its total number of milling and processing facilities across the U.S. and Canada to 13.
The Montana facility, previously operated by Montana Gluten Free, focuses on producing high-protein, gluten-free oats under the SowNaked® Mindfully Farmed Oats brand.
These oats are grown and processed according to the gluten-free Purity Protocol, ensuring gluten levels remain under five parts per million (ppm)—far below the 20 ppm threshold set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This acquisition follows years of partnership with Montana Gluten Free, as Bay State Milling assumes full ownership of the facility to continue its focus on premium, environmentally sustainable ingredients.
Newly appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager of Oat Milling, Walker Humphries, will oversee the Montana facility’s operations.
“We are thrilled to welcome Montana Gluten Free to the Bay State Milling family. This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to offering trusted, natural ingredients while connecting more closely with communities in this region,” said Humphries.
The acquisition is seen as a strategic boost to the company’s ability to serve customers in the clean-label and gluten-free food markets. Bay State Milling is expanding its production of SowNaked Oats, a unique non-GMO variety that contains 40% more protein than traditional oats.
Ed Fish, Senior Vice President of Varietal Solutions at Bay State Milling, stated, “This acquisition unlocks the next phase of growth for one of our most unique product lines. We’re expanding our capacity for high-protein, gluten-free oats that adhere to the strictest standards, a key differentiator for our customers and their products.”
In addition to its nutritional profile, SowNaked Oats offer environmental benefits. Unlike conventional oats, which require energy-intensive processing to remove hulls, SowNaked Oats naturally lack hulls, resulting in 50% lower carbon emissions during processing.
This makes them an attractive option for environmentally conscious consumers and businesses. Available in various forms; including groats, flakes, and flour—Bay State Milling’s customers use these oats to create a range of gluten-free products such as oatmeal, granola, oat milk, and baking mixes.
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