Top 5 Fresh Baby Food Brands

A batch of fresh, baby food companies is catering to modern parents with plenty of cash but not much time. Why is fresh best? Unlike the jarred variety, fresh baby food doesn't undergo an intense heat process. Fresh food retains the nutrients that would otherwise be sapped out in the jarring process (FYI that's why jar brands add citric and ascorbic acid). But be warned: Fresh food expires just like veggies and fruits, so store whatever you aren't using in the freeze (at these prices, you won't want anything to go to waste!).

Save yourself the trouble of hunting down the best options. I've taste tested (and enlisted baby testers too) just about every brand on the market and have amassed a Top 5 Fresh Baby Food list. What's more, all of the brands are organic so you know you'll be giving baby the very best.

1. Taste Bud
When you're an adult truly enjoying the flavor of baby food you know you've found something special. There is nothing bland about this new brand (maybe that's why they can charge $2.59 for 4 oz). The flavor exploded in my mouth: Bananas-Pow! The Stage 2 blends are also sensational. Tracey Sconic in DUMBO, Brooklyn, cooks up all 12 flavors. Patience please. If you live outside New York, you're going to have to wait a bit for this brand to spread across the nation.

2. Homemade Baby
Many jarred varieties rely upon starches and fillers to sate baby. Not so Homemade Baby. Theresa & Matt, the pair behind Homemade Baby, whip up organic, kosher, and vegan food using a "unique fresh chill preparation that locks in nutrients and flavors." I like the fact that I could simply open the container, stir, and feed my baby. The apples and pears were delightful-fruity and delicious. Homemade Baby is available in three stages: So Smooth (stage 1), Good Mushy (stage 2), and Kinda Chunky (stage 3) with ten flavors in all. Large stores such as Whole Foods and Dierberg's carry the brand and the Homemade baby Website has a helpful store locator. Expect to pay $1.49 per container.

3. Yummyspoonfuls
Both my baby and I appreciated the real fruit texture of Yummy Spoonfuls baby food. I found the taste more complex and interesting than other brands. That's probably due to what's missing: all the additives, hormones and pesticides. Unlike the complicated ingredient lists on jarred baby food, the minimal ingredient list (for example, pears and water) really stands out. Pick from three stages: Creamy, Mushy, and Chunky. In addition to being carried in a wide range of stores in Georgia, the chefs will ship any of their 25 flavors from their Dallas, GA kitchen to your doorstep. $2 per container, plus shipping. Store frozen and thaw in refrigerator or microwave.

4. Pomme
California's residents are largely responsible for the organic food movement. So it's only natural that some of the most creative (and expensive-it's $3.25 per 4 oz serving) fresh baby food is coming from the West Coast. Normally, I don't even like sweet potatoes, but I found myself polishing off an entire tub. What I liked was the meaty thickness-so many jarred varieties are soupy and watery. I'm not surprised to learn a five-star chef develops all the recipes at Pomme. To create his magic, Chef Laurent Brazier simmers pure, organic ingredients in small batches. The 20 flavors are pricey, but will undoubtedly keep baby (and mom) grinning. Stop in the Newport location, or order off the web.

5. Happy Baby
I'm also impressed with the innovative cooking at Happy Baby. This clever company (love the names Smarter Squash and Wiser Apples) has the best packaging around. The fresh-frozen food comes in cubes. When you're ready to feed baby, take a package (each box contains 12 cubes and costs about $5.19) out of the freezer, peel back the film and pop out however many 1-oz cubes you'll need. This storing method makes it a breeze to mix and match meals and keep things interesting. I admit that I found the meat flavors a little strange and bland-stick to the vegetarian options. Happy Baby is widely available in stores such as Target and also delivered from Fresh Direct. Log on to their site to find a store near you and introductory coupons.