Awakened Grains teams with Proximity Malt to boost U.S. flour production

Awakened Grains has tapped Proximity Malt to manufacture and distribute its flour in the U.S., a move aimed at speeding access to its high-protein, high-fiber ingredients. The partnership also sets up commercial testing and early production of a new Power Flour in 2027.

Why it matters: - The partnership gives Awakened Grains a U.S. production and fulfillment base, which should expand supply for baking companies, foodservice, retail private labels and ingredient makers. - The agreement also positions both companies to bring a new generation of higher-protein, higher-fiber flour to market in 2027.

What happened: - Seattle-based Awakened Grains signed an agreement with Proximity Malt, a malting and roasting company with facilities in Colorado and Delaware. - Proximity Malt will produce and manage distribution of Awakened Grains flour in the United States. - Awakened Grains will continue making flour in Canada for Canadian and other international customers. - The companies said the partnership will accelerate large-scale production, expand access to better-tasting, better-for-you flour and streamline fulfillment.

The details: - The initial partnership supports production of up to 15,000 tons of Awakened Grains Imperial flour per year. - That supply is aimed at baking companies, institutions, retail private labels, food service providers, blenders, baking mix companies and dry-ingredient companies. - Awakened Grains uses a patented process that germinates whole grains, pulses and legumes and converts starches into flour with higher protein, more fiber and improved performance. - Imperial germinated wheat flour delivers 30% more protein, five times more fiber, better digestibility and higher overall nutrition than premium wheat flour. - Pastries made with the flour can reach the same sweetness with 20% to 30% less added sugar. - The process can also be used with oats, rice, barley, corn and ancient grains. - In 2027, Awakened Grains and Proximity Malt plan to begin producing Power Flour from Soft White Winter Wheat. - Power Flour is designed to have 3.5 times the protein, 40 times the fiber, 75% fewer net carbs and 30% fewer calories than other premium baking flour. - The companies said Power Flour will start at a smaller scale for commercial testing, formulation and product batch runs before larger-scale production ramps up.

Between the lines: - The deal gives Awakened Grains a domestic manufacturing path that could help it serve U.S. customers more reliably while keeping Canadian production in place for export markets. - Proximity Malt gains a role in a specialty ingredients segment that is looking for cleaner labels, better nutrition and more functional baking inputs. - Both companies are betting that controlled germination can turn a niche process into a broader platform for bakery and snack formulations.

What's next: - Awakened Grains and Proximity Malt will start early-2027 production of Power Flour for testing and initial formulation work. - The partnership will continue scaling Imperial flour output as demand grows. - Both companies say they will explore more opportunities in the specialty food ingredients market. - More information is available at Proximity Malt and Awakened Grains.

The bottom line: - Awakened Grains now has a U.S. manufacturing partner that can widen distribution today and help launch a higher-performance flour line next year.