What challenges do manufacturers face with conventional plant proteins?
Lupins for Life supplies protein and fibre-rich ingredients for food and beverage manufacturers who need predictable formulation performance without isolate-style processing. Many plant protein options increase protein content through more intensive processing, while fibre, functional performance, and batch consistency become harder to maintain at scale.
Founded in 2016 by fifth-generation farmers Gary and Heather Drew, Lupins for Life focuses on clean-label, plant-based ingredients for food and beverage applications. The company has focused on unlocking the full potential of lupins to create ingredients that support better nutrition outcomes, aligned with evolving plant-based dietary expectations.
Australian sweet white lupins are positioned as a high-density nutritional ingredient for manufacturers. They contain 43 percent protein and 29 percent dietary fibre. These nutrition levels support higher protein and fibre density than those of standard reference crops such as quinoa and oats, alongside antioxidant levels that compare strongly with those of many berries.
“Because we control sourcing and processing, scaling doesn’t mean compromising,” says Chris Johnston, director and business operations manager.
Innovative Technology Driving Ingredient Excellence
How does vertical integration support traceability and consistent specifications?
What sets Lupins for Life apart is its approach to sourcing and processing. With a vertical integration model, the company controls the entire process from paddock through packaged ingredient, ensuring full traceability and predictable specifications at scale, with consistency that supports repeatable nutrition outcomes.
A key part of this model is how regenerative sourcing is set up on the ground. It starts with long-term partnerships with Australian growers who integrate lupins into crop rotations. Lupins naturally fix nitrogen, improve soil structure, and strengthen farm resilience, helping reduce reliance on synthetic inputs.
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Because we control sourcing and processing, scaling doesn’t mean compromising.
The processing side is anchored by a nine-step precision milling system that can tailor protein and fibre specifications for different food applications, while maintaining consistent quality from batch to batch through gentle mechanical processes with no chemical extraction or additives.
Proven Impact in Aged Care Nutrition
What measurable nutritional outcomes have been observed in aged care settings?
Bond University research cited by Lupins for Life examined the impact of adding lupin flour to meals served to around 2,000 aged care residents across 15 Queensland facilities. Long-term residents showed a 29 percent improvement in nutritional status, compared to typical improvements of around 6 percent in other Australian studies.
Lupin flour didn’t just improve nutrition; it also improved the environment. It also reduced reliance on expensive supplements while improving muscle mass. Chef Ben Hazelwood, who worked closely on the program, found lupin flour’s mild, nutty flavour complemented both baking and savoury dishes, improving acceptance and consistency of intake.
A follow-up study showed a 34 percent drop in malnutrition rates, showing that lupins can support measurable improvements in nutritional status, especially for vulnerable populations.
Built for Plant-Based Formulation
How are lupin ingredients designed for real-world formulation performance?
Lupins for Life focuses on high-quality plant-based ingredients built for real-world food formulation. The company works hand in hand with food producers to support research and development, tailor protein and fibre specifications to specific applications, and accelerate product innovation.
Across food and beverage applications, lupin ingredients can contribute protein and fibre while supporting functional performance, such as texture, structure, and satiety, making formulation easier across everyday formats.
Lupins require fewer processing steps than conventional isolates, making them a cleaner, more sustainable solution that maintains the ingredient’s integrity. Lupin ingredients also support taste and functional performance, which matters for manufacturers developing products at scale.
Consistent Quality and Long-Term Impact
With regenerative sourcing and paddock-to-ingredient control, Lupins for Life focuses on consistency from raw material through to packaged ingredient. This structure supports repeatable specifications, which is critical for manufacturers formulating at scale.
The company’s focus stays on practical, clean-label lupin ingredients that can be applied across everyday food formats without heavy processing. Over the long term, that combination of reliable supply and ingredient integrity helps manufacturers maintain consistent formulation performance and label simplicity, while applying lupin ingredients across everyday food formats at scale.
Company : Lupins for Life
Headquarters :
. ManagementGary Drew, (farmer) Founder and Chris Johnston, Director and Business Operations Manager
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