ZEGO & CIVC Acquire Montana Gluten Free Facility to Strengthen U.S. Gluten-Free Grain Supply Chain

We’re excited to share a major development in the organic and regenerative gluten-free and allergy-friendly food space. ZEGO, a pioneer in purity-tested foods, is collaborating with a new venture, CIVC LLC, to acquire the Montana Gluten Free Processors (MGFP) facility in Belgrade, MT. This strategic move expands ZEGO’s capacity and strengthens the mid-tier supply chain for value-added oats and ancient grains in the United States.

Key highlights from this press release include:

• Facility Acquisition & Launch of CIVC: ZEGO has acquired the MGF DBA and accounts; CIVC now owns the Belgrade, MT facility and will operate it to serve mission-aligned brands, farmers, and consumers.
• Supply Chain Strengthening: This acquisition supports the commercialization of rotational gluten-free crops like millet and buckwheat and creates new infrastructure for regenerative and organic grains.
• Purity Verification System: ZEGO’s industry-first transparency platform will extend to CIVC’s co-packing clients, supporting consumer trust in the value of organic and regenerative certifications.
• Allergen- & Corn-Free Co-Packing: The upgraded facility offers co-manufacturing in a certified gluten-free, allergen-controlled, glyphosate-free environment—ideal for emerging better-for-you and wellness brands.
• USDA Grant Support: A 2024 USDA Organic Market Development Grant is funding the major equipment upgrades and enhancements for quality, traceability, and capacity.
• Mission-Driven Expansion: CIVC aims to build a more equitable, farmer-supportive, and collaborative food ecosystem. It is building a new business model of collaboration and support from soil to table.

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Belgrade, MT (July 7, 2025) — ZEGO, a leader in purity-tested, allergy-friendly breakfast foods, announces the acquisition of key assets from Montana Gluten Free Processors (MGFP) and the launch of a new venture, CIVC LLC (Collaborative Integrated Value Chain), which has acquired MGFP’s plant, land, and equipment. This strategic expansion strengthens the U.S. supply chain for gluten-free and organic grains, supports regional farmers through commercialization of premium rotation crops, and broadens market access to gluten-free and allergen-free foods for the special diet community.

For over two decades, Montana Gluten Free has been a trusted provider of high-quality gluten-free oats and specialty grains, known for its proprietary high-protein oat varietal, groundbreaking purity protocol practices, and commitment to allergen-free production.

ZEGO has acquired MGFP’s brand DBA and customer accounts. CIVC LLC—founded by ZEGO’s CEO Colleen Kavanagh—now owns and operates the Belgrade, MT facility. The new ownership will continue to produce ZEGO and MGFP’s popular products.

A 2024 USDA Organic Market Development Grant awarded to ZEGO is supporting major equipment upgrades and facility modernization. These improvements will increase capacity, introduce new processing capabilities, and enhance quality control and traceability for certified organic gluten-free grains.

CIVC will manage facility operations with a mission to support values-aligned brands and regional organic and regenerative farmers. Upgrades will include adding cleaning, dehulling, and processing equipment for ancient gluten-free grains such as millet, buckwheat, and quinoa. The facility will also offer co-packing services for food companies seeking allergen- and corn-free production in a certified gluten-free environment.

“This acquisition is about more than infrastructure—it’s about building a caring food system. CIVC is designed to nurture a collaborative, values-based supply chain from farm gate to retail shelf. We’re here to help farmers thrive, brands grow, and consumers access food they can trust.” – Colleen Kavanagh, founder and CEO of ZEGO and CIVC

About ZEGO: ZEGO provides clean, allergen-friendly breakfast foods to over 1,200 U.S. retailers, including Sprouts, Erewhon, and Natural Grocers. Bestsellers include its organic Double Protein Oatmeal, Muesli, and Superfood Oatmeal Blends. ZEGO pioneered transparency in food safety through its Purity Verification system, which tests for gluten, glyphosate, heavy metals, and more than 500 agricultural chemical residues. Consumers can scan a QR code on every ZEGO package to view third-party test results.

About CIVC: CIVC LLC is a Montana-based grain processing and co-packing company founded to revolutionize the mid-tier food supply chain. Its mission is to support a collaborative, integrated value chain for gluten-free grains that values farmers as essential partners, uplifts purpose-driven food brands, and delivers clean, nutrient-dense foods to consumers at competitive prices.