Organic Baby Food: My Top Picks

When it comes to feeding your baby or toddler, do you agonize over which organic baby food is worth the extra cost? Being a mother of 16 years, I can tell you that the baby food industry drastically changed since the 1990's. Organic foods are in demand more and more, and lucky for new moms, the market has several choices available. However, which ones are the best and most cost-worthy? My list will give some hope and shed some light on that question.

In store

Gerber Organics: Gerber is now offers a whole line of ready to eat foods certified as "organic." The choices span the entire daily menu for a busy babies needs. Choices include Juices, particularly orange juice, fruits, cereal, and pureed meats and vegetables. The Oregon Tilth, a USDA-accredited third party agency, inspects Gerber organic foods for strict organic standards and consistency in quality. Gerber Organic foods can be purchased at Wal-Mart and Target Stores.

Earth's best: Founded in 1985 by Ron and Arnie Koss, this set of twin brothers initially made their organic baby food for their own babies. They stretched out in 1987 to their first processing plant and began making organic baby food for the baby food market. Earth's best is presently marketed through Hain celestial Group Inc. their line of baby food products include infant formula, fruits, juices, vegetables, frozen foods, snacks and meats. A typical price of four 4 oz. jars of pureed baby food online is $4.53USD, and their infant formula line ranges from $16.70USD to $29.99USD. All formula is in powder form. Earth's Best is can be purchased in stores or online through http://www.earthsbest.com. To find the store nearest you, please use the store locator at http://www.earthsbest.com/store_locator/store_locator.php.

Online

Yummy Spoonfuls: This web site sells fresh organic baby food. Yummy Spoonfuls states "Yummy Spoonfuls IS produced WEEKLY IN SMALL BATCHES and immediately frozen to lock in freshness." The web site states that they are 100% organic, dairy and gluten free, and a member of the Organic Trade Association (OTA). Yummy Spoonfuls sell food in three stages. Stage 1 is called "Creamy Yummy", Stage 2 is called "Mushy Yummy," and stage three "Chunky Yummy." The prices are fairly comparative to Gerber and Earth's best. Each container is 8oz, which is double the quantity of Gerber and Earth's best, and the breakdown per container is $2.00. Yummy Spoonfuls ship in boxes of 12, so before ordering, be sure that you can order this quantity. For convenience, Yummy Spoonfuls is sold at two main locations: Sevananda in Atlanta GA, and Whole foods with various locations. For a Whole foods store near you, go to http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/index.html.

Whether you buy your baby's food online or in-store, one thing is certain: The choices today's parents have are tremendous. Ultimately, it is your decision on how to feed your baby and toddler. No longer do we have to settle for mediocre baby food that could be laden with pesticides, hormones, and additives. Our babies are our future, and feeding them better today will ensure they will have a better tomorrow.