Stronger Protein. Added Fibre. Real Performance
To strengthen nutrition without disrupting production, Sprague Foods adopted Maia Farms’ clean-label ingredient to boost protein and fibre across soups and chilis. The result was improved product performance, simplified labels, and a solution that scaled easily across SKUs.
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Before Maia: The Challenge
Sprague Foods needed to improve the nutritional profile of key products, specifically by increasing protein and fibre without compromising existing successful elements.
Like most manufacturers, they faced a familiar constraint:
> Increasing protein often impacts texture and mouthfeel
> Adding fibre can interfere with structure and processing
> Clean-label requirements limit functional ingredients
> Retort processing puts additional stress on ingredient performance
They weren’t looking for a new ingredient.They needed a way to improve the product without introducing new problems.
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Enter Maia Farms: The Solution
Maia Farms worked directly with Sprague’s team to integrate FORM, a clean-label protein made from oyster mushroom and pea protein.
FORM delivered:
> A meaningful increase in protein and fibre
> A fibrous, meat-like texture that holds through retort
> A short, recognizable ingredient statement with no binders or fillers
> Compatibility with existing formulations and processes
It was applied across multiple SKUs including:
> Chicken & Rice
> Thai Coconut “Chicken”
> Triple Bean Chili
> Sloppy Joe Chili
> Hot Dog Chili
This was a practical integration, focused on bench performance, iteration, and scale-up.
Key Results
1. Higher Protein and Fibre
Improved nutritional density without reformulation complexity or ingredient stacking.
2. Texture That Holds
Maintained a consistent, meat-like bite across soups and chilis, even under retort conditions.
3. Clean Label, No Workarounds
Removed the need for binders, gums, or masking agents.
4. Drop-In Compatibility
Integrated into existing production without adding steps or changing equipment.
5. Scalable Across SKUs
One ingredient system deployed across multiple products and formats.
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Why it matters
Most ingredient solutions force trade-offs:
> Protein vs texture
> Fibre vs functionality
> Clean label vs performance
This partnership proved you don’t have to choose.
Sprague was able to:
> Increase protein and fibre
> Maintain taste and texture
> Keep labels clean and simple
> Scale production with confidence
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"At Sprague, we’ve always believed you can’t cut corners when it comes to good food. Working with Maia Farms allowed us to improve our products while protecting everything that makes them special, flavour, texture, integrity, and trust. Together, we’re proving that innovation and tradition can absolutely coexist"
Rick Sprague - CEO
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