What to include in a custom blend brief

Start with the application

Tell us where the blend ends up: a frozen entrée, a grab-and-go salad, a soup base, a burrito filling or a retail bag. The application decides almost everything else: how firm each component needs to be, how it holds after reheating, and how it behaves in your sauce or dressing.

If you already make the product with another ingredient, say so. A photo of the finished dish or a current spec sheet saves a round of samples.

Define the components and ratio

List each bean, lentil, grain, rice or pasta you want in the blend and the target ratio by weight. We can build any ratio and hold it run to run, so the useful detail is which components are fixed and which can move. If cost matters, tell us which component you would trade first.

• Components, in order of importance
• Target ratio by weight, with an acceptable range
• Any piece size or cut requirements, such as diced vegetables

The fastest briefs tell us what can flex, not just what the blend should be.

Set texture and cook targets

Describe the bite you want after your own process, not straight from the bag. A blend that goes into a retort pouch or a long hot hold needs a different cook than one served cold in a salad. Words like “firm but not chalky” or “soft enough to mash” are fine. A reference product is better.

Flavor and seasoning

Tell us if the blend should be plain, lightly salted or fully seasoned. If you add your own sauce downstream, a plain base usually gives you more control. If you want a finished flavor, share the profile you are after and any spices you need to avoid.

Labeling and allergen requirements

Share your own requirements early: allergen controls, organic or no-GMO-ingredient needs, and any claims you plan to make on pack. These narrow the raw materials we can use, so they belong in the first conversation, not after the sample is approved. Our QA team can tell you which documents come with each component.

Volume, pack format and delivery

Give us a realistic annual volume, how it splits by month, and how you want it packed. We pack blends in retail bags (8 oz, 10 oz and 2 lb), 20–24 lb foodservice cases (1, 2 or 4 lb bags), 30–45 lb cases and 700–1,500 lb totes. Your receiving location and how often you want deliveries help us plan the program from the start.

What happens next

With a complete brief, our product team prepares a first sample for your application. You test it on your line or in your kitchen, we adjust the ratio, cook or seasoning from your feedback, and repeat until it is right. When you are ready, we plan a plant trial and confirm the spec.