The future of food: Vancouver-based business advances sustainable protein innovation

The challenge: Rethinking how we produce protein

Manufacturers face increasing pressure to deliver products to meet consumer demands for high-protein foods that are also environmentally responsible.

Many existing protein ingredients fall short, struggling with taste, texture, functionality, or supply stability. The challenge is that companies are expected to simplify ingredient lists and reduce their environmental footprint without compromising quality.

Maia Farms took on the task of determining how protein be produced in a way that meets the needs of modern food production while also supporting a more sustainable and competitive food system?

The solution: Fermentation-powered, mushroom-based ingredients

Maia Farms has developed a fermentation platform that grows oyster mushroom-based ingredients designed specifically for food manufacturers.

These ingredients are nutrient-rich, clean label, and highly versatile. Available in both textured protein formats and fine powders, they can be integrated into a wide range of products including snacks, cereals, baked goods, and prepared meals —enhancing protein, fibre, and overall nutritional value while maintaining taste and texture.

By focusing on both performance and sustainability, Maia Farms is helping redefine what functional food ingredients can deliver.

The outcome: Accelerating innovation from lab to market

Through ongoing R&D collaborations, Maia Farms has advanced the development and validation of its ingredients, moving from early-stage research toward commercial applications.

Mitacs-supported projects have played a key role in this progress, supporting work in ingredient functionality, nutritional profiling, and application testing in real food systems. By connecting Maia Farms with academic researchers, these collaborations have helped move ideas from lab research into market-ready solutions more efficiently and rigorously.

This progress positions Maia Farms to contribute to a more sustainable, productive, and competitive food sector in Canada.

Talent in action: Strengthening innovation through collaboration

Through Mitacs-supported, co-funded internships, Maia Farms has accessed highly skilled research talent from post-secondary institutions across Canada.

“Mitacs interns bring strong scientific training and fresh perspectives that strengthen our innovation pipeline. Working with talented graduate students and researchers allows Maia Farms to expand our R&D capabilities while building close relationships with Canadian universities and research institutions.”

Jason Mackay, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, Maia Farms

These collaborations enable Maia Farms to test new ideas, explore novel applications, and accelerate the pace of innovation, while contributing to the development of workforce-ready talent in Canada’s growing food innovation sector.

About Mitacs

For over 25 years, Mitacs has helped grow the economy and develop the workforce of tomorrow, connecting industry with academia and global partners to solve real-world challenges. We support business-academic research collaboration through internships, co-funded with businesses, for undergraduate to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.

As a national innovation connector, Mitacs takes a talent-first approach to strengthen innovation capacity and drive global competitiveness. We serve as an essential research-commercialization bridge, accelerating market entry and growth for new products and services.

This is a critical time for Canada to think big and take bold action. Mitacs is ready to help build a strong and resilient Canadian economy, powered by ideas, talent and innovation.

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.