Unable to bind ngModel to field for values not in data

[lsacco-nutreense]

The main reason I'm exploring this library over something like ng-select is because it provides the ability to put a value in the field that does not exist in the list returned from data. However, while I can do that, it's not allowing me to save that value. I've tried the usual Angular way by setting [(ngModel)] mapped to my form's model, but this component doesn't like it and fails to do autocomplete.

Do you have any suggestions on how to allow the user inputted value to be saved if not selected from the data array? Thanks!