Interview - Kylie - GF Oats ANZAC Biscuits

Posted on Thursday 12th March 2026 for GF Oats

GF Oats

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For many Australians, ANZAC biscuits are more than a simple oat biscuit. They represent tradition, remembrance, and a connection to those who served. GF Oats Australia has brought new meaning to this heritage recipe by creating oat-based biscuits made with their carefully grown and handled Pure Oats, allowing more people to enjoy this classic treat. In this interview, we speak with Kylie, Founder & CEO, about the story behind the brand and its meaningful partnership with Legacy, supporting the families of Australian veterans while honouring the spirit of ANZAC Day.

FFW: Who is behind the GF Oats Australia brand, and how did the business begin?

GF OATS: GF Oats Australia was founded by Kylie, a Queensland-based entrepreneur who grew up on a cattle and grain property in Central Queensland. Having grown up around agriculture, she developed a deep appreciation for farming and where our food comes from.

The business began in 2009 when Kylie saw a gap in the Australian market for oats that people with gluten sensitivities could feel confident consuming. At the time, many Australians who avoided gluten had removed oats from their diets altogether because of the high risk of contamination from wheat, rye and barley in conventional oat supply chains. GF Oats was created to solve that problem by building a dedicated supply chain focused on purity, transparency and quality.

Today, GF Oats works closely with specialist Australian farmers to produce uncontaminated oats grown under strict protocols, creating a trusted option for both consumers and food businesses.

FFW: Many Australians are familiar with the challenges of sourcing oats that suit gluten-sensitive consumers. What inspired the creation of GF Oats and its focus on gluten-friendly oats and oat-based products?

GF OATS: The inspiration really came from listening to consumers who were frustrated by the lack of reliable options. Many people who were gluten-sensitive loved oats but simply couldn’t trust the supply chain.

In conventional farming systems, oats are often grown in rotation with wheat, barley or rye and processed in shared facilities, which creates a high risk of cross-contamination. We saw an opportunity to build a dedicated supply chain that avoided those risks.

Our focus has always been to provide oats that are free from contamination from gluten-containing grains while still delivering the flavour, nutrition and versatility people love about oats. From there, it was a natural progression to develop oat-based products that make everyday eating easier for people with dietary restrictions.

FFW: For trade buyers discovering GF Oats for the first time, how would you describe the brand’s core mission and what makes your oats different from conventional oats?

GF OATS: Our mission is simple: to produce the highest integrity oats possible while supporting Australian farmers and giving consumers greater confidence in what they eat.

What makes our oats different is the dedicated supply chain. Our oats are grown and handled under strict protocols designed to prevent contamination from wheat, rye and barley. We work with specialist farmers and controlled handling systems to maintain that purity all the way from paddock to pack.

For retailers and foodservice operators, this means they can offer a premium oat product that appeals not only to gluten-sensitive consumers, but also to customers seeking high-quality, Australian-grown ingredients.

FFW: The integrity of your oats is central to the brand. Can you explain how GF Oats are grown, processed and handled to maintain their gluten-friendly status?

GF OATS: Maintaining the integrity of the oats starts in the paddock. Our oats are grown by dedicated farmers who follow strict growing and handling protocols designed to prevent contamination from gluten-containing grains.

The entire supply chain is carefully managed, from seed selection through to harvesting, storage, milling and packaging. Facilities and equipment are controlled to ensure there is no contact with wheat, rye or barley.

Our oats are also regularly tested to verify their purity. This level of care and transparency is what allows us to confidently provide oats suitable for those seeking gluten-friendly options.

FFW: Your oat-based biscuits have become popular with retailers looking for inclusive snack options. What sets these biscuits apart in terms of flavour, ingredients and positioning on shelf?

GF OATS: Our biscuits were developed to deliver the taste and texture people expect from traditional oat biscuits, while remaining accessible to those avoiding gluten contamination.

We use high-quality oats as the hero ingredient and keep the recipes simple, focusing on flavour and real ingredients. The result is a biscuit that doesn’t feel like a compromise; it’s something the whole family can enjoy.

From a retail perspective, they sit beautifully in the better-for-you snack category while still appealing to mainstream shoppers who simply love a good oat biscuit. Free from gluten contamination, dairy and preservatives, they suit many dietary requirements.

FFW: Many consumers who avoid gluten miss traditional baked treats. How has GF Oats approached recreating familiar favourites such as oat biscuits in a way that works for gluten-sensitive customers?

GF OATS: Our goal has always been to recreate the comfort foods people grew up with, rather than inventing something entirely different.

We spent a lot of time refining recipes to ensure the flavour, texture and aroma feel familiar and authentic. By starting with high-quality uncontaminated oats, we’re able to maintain that classic oat biscuit character while making it suitable for those who avoid gluten-containing grains.

It’s about bringing back those nostalgic favourites so people don’t feel like they’re missing out.

FFW: Your brand has developed a meaningful partnership with Legacy. Can you tell us how that relationship first began?

GF OATS: The partnership with Legacy grew out of our desire to honour the history behind ANZAC biscuits and ensure we approached the product with the respect it deserves.

When developing our ANZAC-style biscuits, we wanted to acknowledge the origins of the recipe and the role it played in supporting Australian soldiers and their families. Connecting with Legacy felt like the natural way to give back while preserving that heritage.

FFW: For readers who may not be familiar, what role does Legacy play in supporting Australian veterans and their families?

GF OATS: Legacy is a long-standing Australian charity that supports the families of veterans who have served our country. They provide practical assistance, social connection and financial support to partners and children of veterans who have given their lives or their health in service.

Their work ensures these families continue to receive care, community and opportunities long after the service member’s sacrifice.

FFW: Why was supporting Legacy a cause that resonated so strongly with the GF Oats team?

Their work ensures these families continue to receive care, community and opportunities long after the service member’s sacrifice.

FFW: ANZAC biscuits are an iconic part of Australian history. How does GF Oats approach this heritage recipe while ensuring it remains accessible to people who seek gluten-friendly options?

GF OATS: We approach the recipe with great respect for its heritage. The goal was never to reinvent the ANZAC biscuit, but to make it accessible to more people.

By using uncontaminated oats and carefully selecting ingredients, we’ve been able to recreate the familiar flavour and texture while making it suitable for those avoiding gluten-containing grains.

It allows more Australians to enjoy a traditional biscuit that holds such an important place in our history.

The recipe is also approved by Veterans Affairs.

FFW: From a retail perspective, how do the Legacy partnership and ANZAC connection help stockists share a meaningful story with customers?

GF OATS: Retailers often find that customers love products that carry a story and a sense of purpose.

The connection to Legacy allows stockists to share a product that not only tastes great but also acknowledges an important part of Australian heritage. It creates a deeper connection with shoppers, particularly around ANZAC Day and remembrance periods.

FFW: What kind of feedback have you received from retailers and consumers about the connection between GF Oats products and the Legacy initiative?

GF OATS: The feedback has been incredibly positive. Retailers appreciate having a product with a strong story behind it, and consumers value knowing their purchase supports a meaningful cause.

Many customers tell us they love that they can enjoy a traditional biscuit while also contributing to something bigger.

We have many businesses who support us each year, purchasing biscuits for their teams and local community because of our connection with Legacy.

FFW: Beyond the ANZAC season, how does GF Oats continue to support the work of Legacy throughout the year?

GF OATS: While ANZAC Day is an important time of reflection, our support for Legacy extends beyond that period. We continue to raise awareness of their work and maintain the partnership through our products and brand communications throughout the year.

For us, it’s about ongoing respect and recognition rather than a single seasonal moment.

FFW: For retailers, health food stores and cafés considering the range, what makes GF Oats products a compelling addition to their offering?

GF OATS: Retailers are increasingly looking for products that meet the needs of modern consumers while maintaining strong quality credentials. Also, products that are exclusive to health food for their growing loyal customer base.

GF Oats offers Australian-grown oats with a dedicated contamination-free supply chain, along with a growing range of oat-based products that cater to gluten-sensitive customers without sacrificing flavour.

For cafés and foodservice operators, it also provides a reliable oat ingredient that allows them to expand their gluten-friendly menu options.

FFW: Do you supply both retail-ready products and ingredients suitable for foodservice or manufacturing?

GF OATS: Yes, we supply both retail-ready products and bulk ingredients suitable for foodservice and manufacturing.

Our oats are used by cafés, bakeries, manufacturers and food brands looking for a reliable supply of uncontaminated oats. We work with partners of all sizes to help them incorporate high-quality oats into their products and menus.

FFW: What point-of-sale materials, product education or brand storytelling support do you offer stockists to help drive sell-through?

GF OATS: We understand that education plays a key role in helping customers understand the difference between conventional oats and oats grown under dedicated protocols.

We support our stockists with product information, brand storytelling, educational materials and promotional support where possible. Our goal is to help retailers confidently communicate the value of the product to their customers.

FFW: Do you supply trade customers Australia-wide, and how can new stockists begin working with GF Oats?

GF OATS: Yes, we supply trade customers across Australia through our wholesale network. We have Preferred Distributors we have worked with for years in every state of Australia.

Retailers, distributors and foodservice operators interested in stocking GF Oats can connect with us directly or through our wholesale partners to explore the range and find the best supply option for their business.

FFW: Is there anything else retailers, foodservice operators or distributors should know about partnering with GF Oats?

GF OATS: At GF Oats, we’re passionate about producing oats with integrity while supporting Australian farmers and communities.

We’re always looking to work with partners who share those values and who want to offer customers high-quality, thoughtfully produced food. As the demand for trusted ingredients continues to grow, we believe oats grown under dedicated purity protocols will play an increasingly important role in the market.

With increasing consumer awareness around ingredient transparency and dietary inclusivity, retailers and foodservice operators are looking for products that meet both quality expectations and evolving dietary preferences. GF Oats Australia offers a distinctive proposition in the category, supplying Australian-grown oats produced under strict contamination-free protocols alongside a growing range of oat-based products. Supported by a strong brand story and meaningful community partnerships, the range provides stockists with an opportunity to offer trusted oat products that resonate with today’s conscious consumers.