SO sick and tired of looking for baby food...

Hope2Have · November 2011

I live in a small town and we have no natural stores, healthy grocery stores etc (whole foods etc)... Hadley has started with baby food... but I can't find anything in this hick town. Went to every grocery store in our town INCLUDING the farmers market... and there is NO organic food in this town! How in the world? I thought the farmers market would be a given... nope.

So, I decided I would buy jar food b/c obviously me making her healthy food went out the window unless I want to travel an hour + to get veggies at Whole foods. Guess what?!? Our hick town also does not sell organic baby food. at. all. Surely I'm not the only one in this town wanting to feed my baby organic food? Surely not.

I looked on amazon, diapers.com and they have earths best... but they have bpa in the lids (not sure how much I should be concerned about that) but reading stuff makes me leary of using it. The other brands (happybaby and others) have good looking stuff in the pouches, but only in level 2 and 3...

Makes me want to scream! All I want to do is feed my baby healthy, doesn't seem like it should be this difficult. Anyone have any suggestions as to where to turn? Anywhere on the internet that you know of you can buy organic baby food without paying a fortune? Money isn't really an issue... but I hate to pay more than it's worth too. Thanks

The_Jen626 · November 2011

We did Gerber, Earth's Best, basically whatever we could find. We also had to use random baby food that we could buy in England, Spain, and Italy. Our kid turned out fine! I think you are over-stressing this.

maplehearts · November 2011

So is making baby food with non-organic veggies a possibility? I would rather use veggies I could get fresh than organic food in a jar.

charlatti · November 2011

maplehearts:
So is making baby food with non-organic veggies a possibility? I would rather use veggies I could get fresh than organic food in a jar.

That's what I would do too, especially if you're having that much trouble finding the jarred food you'd prefer.

Hope2Have · November 2011

I thought about going with fresh veggies and fruit that wasn't organic.... but really felt like she needed organic. I promise I do not normally over-think or stress over stuff, but this has been the one thing I can't figure out what would be best. I use store brand formula (she is adopted so couldn't bf) so I am not normally so picky... just felt like she should get organic. Guess I'll just do the best I can with regular or make my own from fresh veggies. Thanks

shaunna&chad · November 2011

We also eat as much organic as possible, but live in a big city so it isn't a problem finding what we need.

You could look at the Dirty Dozen list, and at least you would have an idea of what is recommended to be organic. You could also go into the big city and buy enough food to cook, puree and freeze a huge amount of baby food at once, and just do that once a month or every other month.

Sharon21 · November 2011

Gerber's Smart Nourish is organic and you should be able to find it at any Target or Walmart along with any normal grocery store. You are making it way more difficult than it needs to be. I thought about making baby food but then did some research and found that the ingredients are (for example) sweet potato and water. That is no different than if I made it myself and a lot less of a pain.

notkateanymore · November 2011

Using locally grown veggies to make food is as good or better than organic. The organic things brought into Whole Foods come from hundreds, if not thousands of miles away and lose nutrients on the way there since they sit for days. Local farmers, non-commercial anyway, usually don't use a ton of chemicals, even if they aren't certified organic. If you just have to have organic veggies, do a one a month trip, get a ton and cook and freeze stuff one weekend.

Hope2Have · November 2011

Sharon21:
Gerber's Smart Nourish is organic and you should be able to find it at any Target or Walmart along with any normal grocery store. You are making it way more difficult than it needs to be. I thought about making baby food but then did some research and found that the ingredients are (for example) sweet potato and water. That is no different than if I made it myself and a lot less of a pain.

I really am not trying to make it more difficult than it is. We don't have a Target, and our Wal-Mart and Kroger only have regular Gerber except for maybe 2 flavors in step 1 that are organic, both of which we have already tried. I went to our neighboring town and found 3 jars of earths best sweet potatoes which I bought, and that's all they had... and it's our "healthy" grocery store. I just thought that it was important to get her organic food to start out with (and as long as it was possible to do so).

notkateanymore · November 2011

Hope2Have:
Sharon21:
Gerber's Smart Nourish is organic and you should be able to find it at any Target or Walmart along with any normal grocery store. You are making it way more difficult than it needs to be. I thought about making baby food but then did some research and found that the ingredients are (for example) sweet potato and water. That is no different than if I made it myself and a lot less of a pain.

I really am not trying to make it more difficult than it is. We don't have a Target, and our Wal-Mart and Kroger only have regular Gerber except for maybe 2 flavors in step 1 that are organic, both of which we have already tried. I went to our neighboring town and found 3 jars of earths best sweet potatoes which I bought, and that's all they had... and it's our "healthy" grocery store. I just thought that it was important to get her organic food to start out with (and as long as it was possible to do so).

Go to the healthy grocery store and ask if they'll special order cases for you. Also, have you looked at Tyler Florence's brand? https://www.sproutbabyfood.com/ You can order straight from the site and they have a number of Stage 1 foods.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · November 2011

If you can find things from local growers or a farmers market, go with that. My husband works for Whole Foods and has said many times that lots of the local growers pretty much are organic, but the process to become certified is so lengthy and expensive than many small farms simply cannot afford to do it.

Hope2Have · November 2011

Okay... I'm glad I posted this b/c I was thinking too much about it I guess. I was originally so bummed b/c I couldn't breast feed (something I had always always planned to do, but adopted Hadley so that wasn't really an option) and I just always assumed I would make her food (least I could do since I couldn't bf her) and then got to looking and couldn't even find freaking organic food to feed her... I really just want what is best for her. I know that it's not the end of the world... just want to do the best I can.

So... going to look up the list of foods to avoid and make what I can, buy what I can't and stop thinking about it. Huh?

Hope2Have · November 2011

EveryNameIWantIsTaken:
If you can find things from local growers or a farmers market, go with that. My husband works for Whole Foods and has said many times that lots of the local growers pretty much are organic, but the process to become certified is so lengthy and expensive than many small farms simply cannot afford to do it.

We have a farmers market in the neighboring town and everything in the off season is imported from Mexico... which I actually thought was funny, what's the point of a farmers market? I don't know any local farmers... but in the summer it wouldn't be so bad, but by then she'll be eating more table food. Like I posted just a minute ago, I'm getting over it and going to just make what I can and stop stressing about it. Thanks though!!!

Sharon21 · November 2011

Hope2Have:
Sharon21:
Gerber's Smart Nourish is organic and you should be able to find it at any Target or Walmart along with any normal grocery store. You are making it way more difficult than it needs to be. I thought about making baby food but then did some research and found that the ingredients are (for example) sweet potato and water. That is no different than if I made it myself and a lot less of a pain.

I really am not trying to make it more difficult than it is. We don't have a Target, and our Wal-Mart and Kroger only have regular Gerber except for maybe 2 flavors in step 1 that are organic, both of which we have already tried. I went to our neighboring town and found 3 jars of earths best sweet potatoes which I bought, and that's all they had... and it's our "healthy" grocery store. I just thought that it was important to get her organic food to start out with (and as long as it was possible to do so).

No Target?! How do you survive? I don't shop at Walmart but just assumed they would have it. You can order Gerber organic baby food on target.com and it is about the same price as in store. But I agree with PPers about getting local fruits and veggies. If you want to make baby food I think local is probably just as good as organic.

Fishstyx · November 2011

When I was making baby food, I made big batches to freeze. Literally, one batch of sweet potatoes or carrots or whatever will last you a month. So going into town shouldn't be that big of a deal.

Hope2Have · November 2011

Sharon21:
Hope2Have:

Sharon21:
Gerber's Smart Nourish is organic and you should be able to find it at any Target or Walmart along with any normal grocery store. You are making it way more difficult than it needs to be. I thought about making baby food but then did some research and found that the ingredients are (for example) sweet potato and water. That is no different than if I made it myself and a lot less of a pain.

I really am not trying to make it more difficult than it is. We don't have a Target, and our Wal-Mart and Kroger only have regular Gerber except for maybe 2 flavors in step 1 that are organic, both of which we have already tried. I went to our neighboring town and found 3 jars of earths best sweet potatoes which I bought, and that's all they had... and it's our "healthy" grocery store. I just thought that it was important to get her organic food to start out with (and as long as it was possible to do so).

No Target?! How do you survive? I don't shop at Walmart but just assumed they would have it. You can order Gerber organic baby food on target.com and it is about the same price as in store. But I agree with PPers about getting local fruits and veggies. If you want to make baby food I think local is probably just as good as organic.

I know, no target. The only chain stores within an hour of us are grocery stores, Wal-Mart and Goodwill.... oh, we recently got a dollar tree (people around here are hooked on the dollar tree, lol). Everything "real" is an hour away... stinks.

babypuplove · November 2011

KateMW:
Using locally grown veggies to make food is as good or better than organic. The organic things brought into Whole Foods come from hundreds, if not thousands of miles away and lose nutrients on the way there since they sit for days. Local farmers, non-commercial anyway, usually don't use a ton of chemicals, even if they aren't certified organic. If you just have to have organic veggies, do a one a month trip, get a ton and cook and freeze stuff one weekend.

Whole Foods in our area sells a TON of local, organic produce and other locally made food.

OP, sorry you're having such issues with trying to feed your baby healthy food. I'm very into organic dairy, eggs, and the dirty dozen when it comes to feeding my family. We also do a lot of organic meat.

If I were you, I would either take a day trip to a nearby city (I have no idea where you're located, but there has to be some kind of city within a few hours, right?), and I would stock up on fresh, local, organic in-season fruit and veggies, focusing on the dirty dozen. (so right now that would probably be pears, apples, etc). Head home, steam, puree, and freeze. Then I would order a variety of organic pouches from Amazon or some other online store, even if they are Stage 2 foods. Stage 1 doesn't last that long, so it's not like you won't use them in the near future.

Sure, you can feed your child non organic food and they will turn out fine. That's not the issue. You want what's best for your baby's health in the long run, and there's nothing wrong with that. :-)

Also, I agree with PP about farmer's markets often selling organic produce, even if they aren't certified. Our local farmer's market is huge and awesome, but none of the farmers are certified. I just ask them if they use pesticides, etc, and they are generally very honest. However, in the case of your Mexican farmer's market, that probably doesn't apply.

The_Jen626 · November 2011

Hope2Have:

Okay... I'm glad I posted this b/c I was thinking too much about it I guess. I was originally so bummed b/c I couldn't breast feed (something I had always always planned to do, but adopted Hadley so that wasn't really an option) and I just always assumed I would make her food (least I could do since I couldn't bf her) and then got to looking and couldn't even find freaking organic food to feed her... I really just want what is best for her. I know that it's not the end of the world... just want to do the best I can.

So... going to look up the list of foods to avoid and make what I can, buy what I can't and stop thinking about it.

Pour yourself a big glass of wine and breathe...it's ok.

I had a lot of guilt about formula too, I understand where you're coming from. Bottom line, you ARE doing the best for your daughter, and she will turn out perfectly. Non-organic baby food isn't going to drop her IQ, and pretty sure there's a little BPA in everything, as long as you aren't microwaving it inside the jar, I think you're fine.

notkateanymore · November 2011

babypuplove:
KateMW:
Using locally grown veggies to make food is as good or better than organic. The organic things brought into Whole Foods come from hundreds, if not thousands of miles away and lose nutrients on the way there since they sit for days. Local farmers, non-commercial anyway, usually don't use a ton of chemicals, even if they aren't certified organic. If you just have to have organic veggies, do a one a month trip, get a ton and cook and freeze stuff one weekend.

Whole Foods in our area sells a TON of local, organic produce and other locally made food.
OP, sorry you're having such issues with trying to feed your baby healthy food. I'm very into organic dairy, eggs, and the dirty dozen when it comes to feeding my family. We also do a lot of organic meat.
If I were you, I would either take a day trip to a nearby city (I have no idea where you're located, but there has to be some kind of city within a few hours, right?), and I would stock up on fresh, local, organic in-season fruit and veggies, focusing on the dirty dozen. (so right now that would probably be pears, apples, etc). Head home, steam, puree, and freeze. Then I would order a variety of organic pouches from Amazon or some other online store, even if they are Stage 2 foods. Stage 1 doesn't last that long, so it's not like you won't use them in the near future.
Sure, you can feed your child non organic food and they will turn out fine. That's not the issue. You want what's best for your baby's health in the long run, and there's nothing wrong with that. :-)
Also, I agree with PP about farmer's markets often selling organic produce, even if they aren't certified. Our local farmer's market is huge and awesome, but none of the farmers are certified. I just ask them if they use pesticides, etc, and they are generally very honest. However, in the case of your Mexican farmer's market, that probably doesn't apply.

You are so lucky. Our WF doesn't carry very much local..well, they call things from GA and TN local. Thank goodness we have a number of good CSA and a great farmers market.

smerka · November 2011

BPA is really only a problem when heated so I would order the Earths Best and transfer it to a different container or just not have the lid on. Also you may want to check if they have organic stuff in the frozen food section. I know you would rather have fresh, but frozen is the next best thing. Also I would like to add to the don't worry too much about it. It sounds like at some point soon, she's going to be eating non-organic "real" food so just try to stay away from the dirty dozen. You are doing the best you can.

Stacyc625 · November 2011

This is NOT a judgement on you- because honestly I really don't care how you choose to feed your baby....

However I REALLY STRONGLY believe that eating 'organically' is a 100% decision- if you don't care enough to do it yourself..... then why do it for a 4 month old?

If you eat regular veggies- why is it worse to feed your child them?

I do not get it?

Do you drink from water bottles? guarantee there is BPA in them.

I dunno- I have done a lot of research on organics and such- and I am cautiously still concerned and it is just not a decision I am ready to fully stand behind.

SMA! · November 2011

Make your own from conventional vegetables. You will still be controlling what goes into her body and how it is stored and you will be saving money. Don't stress about organic, she will be fine.

If you really, really, really want organic, go to Whole Foods 1x a month and make big batches of puree for her and freeze it.

Also, I don't know who the vendors at your farmers market are but sometimes small family farms don't pay for organic certification but still practice sustainable agriculture. And if it is a choice between conventional produce from a family farm or the grocery store I would put my dollars towards the small business.

Hope2Have · November 2011

Stacyc625:

This is NOT a judgement on you- because honestly I really don't care how you choose to feed your baby....

However I REALLY STRONGLY believe that eating 'organically' is a 100% decision- if you don't care enough to do it yourself..... then why do it for a 4 month old?

If you eat regular veggies- why is it worse to feed your child them?

I do not get it?

Do you drink from water bottles? guarantee there is BPA in them.

I dunno- I have done a lot of research on organics and such- and I am cautiously still concerned and it is just not a decision I am ready to fully stand behind.

I eat TERRIBLY, talking bad. I lost 155 pounds a couple years ago, and still do not eat healthy, it's bad. I just want so much better for her than when I give myself. I don't want her to be a carb addict like I am, I don't think it's a bad thing that I want what is best for her. I'm getting over it though, I struggled for a long time having to give her formula... as I always wanted to BF, but... this is just another one of the things i have to get over. It was really just a question, looking for ideas which I got. Thanks

klaus · November 2011

KateMW:
Hope2Have:

Sharon21:
Gerber's Smart Nourish is organic and you should be able to find it at any Target or Walmart along with any normal grocery store. You are making it way more difficult than it needs to be. I thought about making baby food but then did some research and found that the ingredients are (for example) sweet potato and water. That is no different than if I made it myself and a lot less of a pain.

I really am not trying to make it more difficult than it is. We don't have a Target, and our Wal-Mart and Kroger only have regular Gerber except for maybe 2 flavors in step 1 that are organic, both of which we have already tried. I went to our neighboring town and found 3 jars of earths best sweet potatoes which I bought, and that's all they had... and it's our "healthy" grocery store. I just thought that it was important to get her organic food to start out with (and as long as it was possible to do so).

Go to the healthy grocery store and ask if they'll special order cases for you. Also, have you looked at Tyler Florence's brand? https://www.sproutbabyfood.com/ You can order straight from the site and they have a number of Stage 1 foods.

The Sprout Baby Food is really good. I make my own but use this to supplement for variety and for on-the-go eating. It's great.

wahcim · November 2011

You can request to the Manager at Wal-Mart to stock some of the baby food brands that you would like to use. I would keep pestering them until they actually do it. Who knows, they could be missing a big market in your small town. Good luck.

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