Atlantic Canada's Home for Flax Milling: Continuing a Longstanding Tradition

For food brands developing gluten free and top allergen free products, ingredient processing is just as important as ingredient selection. Flax has become a staple ingredient in everything from baking mixes and breads to protein blends and functional foods, but finding a milling partner with the right expertise and food safety standards can be challenging.

Free From Co-Packing now operates the former Valley Flax Flour production facility in Middleton, Nova Scotia. For years, Valley Flax Flour specialized in the milling of both golden and brown flax, supplying food manufacturers and ingredient companies across Canada. When we acquired the facility, we retained the same equipment, production methods, and operational knowledge that made Valley Flax Flour a trusted processor.

Today, Free From Co-Packing continues that tradition while expanding the facility's capabilities as a dedicated top allergen free dry mix manufacturer and co-packer.

Why Flax Milling Matters

Flax is one of the most versatile ingredients in modern food manufacturing. Available in both golden and brown varieties, flax offers nutritional and functional benefits that make it valuable in a wide range of products.

Ground flax is commonly used in:

• Baking mixes

• Bread and bakery products

• Pancake and waffle mixes

• Smoothie and protein blends

• Granolas and cereals

• Plant based foods

• Nutritional supplements

• Functional foods

• High fibre products

Golden flax is often chosen for its milder flavour and lighter colour, while brown flax is prized for its rich, nutty taste and nutritional profile. Both varieties are excellent sources of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids and play an important role in gluten free and plant based formulations.

An Established Flax Milling Process

Valley Flax Flour built its reputation on flax processing, developing specialized expertise in the milling of both golden and brown flax. Free From Co-Packing has continued these same proven processes, ensuring customers benefit from years of manufacturing experience and established production systems.

This is not a newly developed service. The equipment, production flow, and technical knowledge that supported Valley Flax Flour remain at the core of our operation today.

By maintaining these established processes, we are able to provide consistency and reliability for companies that depend on high quality flax ingredients.

More Than a Flax Mill

While flax milling remains an important part of our operation, Free From Co-Packing offers much more than ingredient processing.

Our facility specializes in:

• Flax milling

• Dry ingredient blending

• Baking mix manufacturing

• Private label production

• Contract manufacturing

• Foodservice packaging

• Dry food co-packing

For many clients, the ability to source flax milling, blending, and packaging services from a single manufacturing partner simplifies production and reduces logistics costs.

We also maintain relationships with suppliers who utilize our milling services and can help connect brands with ingredient sources as they scale.

A Dedicated Top Allergen Free Facility

One of the things that sets Free From Co-Packing apart is our commitment to top allergen free manufacturing.

Our facility does not permit:

• Gluten and wheat

• Dairy

• Eggs

• Peanuts

• Tree nuts

• Soy

• Sesame

• Fish

• Shellfish

• Mustard

• Celery

• Lupin

This makes us uniquely positioned to support brands producing gluten free and top allergen free products that incorporate flax as a key ingredient.

Whether a customer needs golden flax milled into flour, brown flax processed for a finished product, or a complete private label solution, our facility is designed to support safe, reliable manufacturing.

Preserving a Valuable Atlantic Canadian Capability

Specialized food manufacturing capabilities are essential to the growth of Canada's food industry. By continuing the flax milling operations established by Valley Flax Flour, Free From Co-Packing is preserving an important processing capability in Atlantic Canada.

Our goal is to build on that legacy while creating new opportunities for top allergen free brands, food entrepreneurs, and established manufacturers alike.

We are proud to continue milling golden and brown flax using the same proven processes that have served customers for years, now as part of a broader mission to become Canada's trusted home for top allergen free food manufacturing.

Peace of mind, one batch at a time.