Words by: Elysha Medhurst

Food allergies are increasingly talked about amongst the food industry. It can be a struggle and a stress, trying to find delicious allergy-friendly foods in the supermarket. Thankfully, Orgran has dedicated their brand to offering options that cater to an extensive range of allergies and intolerances!

ygf: Thank you so much for sitting down with us and taking the time to tell us about your Orgran. How did it all begin?

ORGRAN® Health & Nutrition is a well-established company in Australia, with its start nearly 35 years ago! With a shared vision and interest in the health benefits of food, brothers Frank and Max Buontempo founded ORGRAN® Health & Nutrition in 1984, making it one of Australia’s first food manufacturers dedicated to nutritional gluten free and allergen friendly foods. Our product categories include: pasta, crispibread, premixes, breakfast cereals, biscuits, snacks, crackers and milled flour.

The brothers’ interest in natural nutrition stemmed from their upbringing. Their parents originated from a small rural village in Italy where it was necessary to grow and harvest their own food including various grains, vegetables and medicinal herbs. The ingredients they used were 100% natural and their knowledge of growing, harvesting, storing, preparing and utilising ingredients for natural remedies intrigued the brothers. So too, did the fact that the modern world seemed to be leaving these important aspects of health and nutrition behind.

Frank and Max quickly began to realize that the modern diet and foods available in supermarkets were void of nutritional diversity and foods were mainly based on refined wheat. The brothers began experimenting with some of the nutritional grains and ingredients that their parents talked about including millet, buckwheat, quinoa and amaranth. At the time these grains were largely unrecognised in Australia. It was not long before they purchased some small machines and set up shop to develop and pioneer wheat free alternative grain foods. ORGRAN® was officially born.

ORGRAN® was the first to produce a gluten free pasta made from rice & corn that was a perfect substitute to wheat pasta.

ygf: Tell us about ORGRAN®

ORGRAN® still follows the same philosophy in creating nutritious foods for everyone to enjoy.

There have been many gluten free products appearing and disappearing on the market but ORGRAN remains true to its core values to ensure that the products are not just gluten free but genuinely offer nutrition and enjoyment. You can say they are foods with a purpose for better health.

ORGRAN is the pioneer producer to introduce many new grains and ingredients such as Buckwheat in our products.  ORGRAN utilizes Buckwheat in pancake mixes, breakfast cereals, crispbread and crackers as it has amazing health properties.

Today, buckwheat and other non-commercialised ingredients are being recognized as a ‘superfoods’.

ygf: It’s reassuring to know that you take so much pride in your ingredients that cater to so many food restrictions. What inspired you to include gluten free products and how do you ensure they are completely gluten free?

Not many people realize that gluten is in fact one of the most difficult proteins to digest.

Due to the economies of wheat agriculture and widespread use, gluten has found its way in just about all foods we consume today, including ice cream, drinks, etc.

The gluten free policy of ORGRAN® is to provide our customers with quality products that are free from ingredients containing gluten and main declarable allergens. We are gluten free in all areas of our operation, and have strict requirements for approved suppliers or raw materials to ensure total purity.

All incoming raw materials that we purchase have passed through our control systems and Supplier Program that ensures safe, pure ingredients. We are passionate about ensuring we create foods that are suitable for everyone to enjoy!

ORGRAN
Organising & Researching Grains, Remedies, Allergies & Nutrition

ygf: We are so grateful you are a brand that takes so much care in providing healthy alternatives! How do yum. readers access your products?

ORGRAN products are available in selected Coles, Woolworths, IGA, independent supermarkets and health food stores, including various online retailers. ORGRAN products are also available in 69 countries around the world.

For domestic and international enquires about stockists near your location, please email info@orgran.com

ygf: How do our readers keep in touch with you to keep up to date with all things Orgran?

If you’d like to get in contact, call us on (03) 9776 9055 or email us at info@orgran.com. To keep in the health & nutrition loop, subscribe to our eNewsletters and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

 Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us all about your amazing product! We can’t wait to see what else you have in store.

For ORGRAN’s recipes, articles and more: 
yumglutenfree.com.au/shopfront/pantry-and-cooking/orgran-health-and-nutrition/