Why Didn't I think Of That?

Thanks Greg and Bob. Hear about our story on the radio. Click here.

Feeding Baby

Here's a nod to M.O.M. from Foodprocessing.com

Guest Blogging

I was recently asked to guest blog about how our company. Though we have the story on our web site, it was nice to revisit the inspiration. Get a load of her when only 8 months old. Here's a little bit of what I rediscovered.

I never anticipated how having a child would reshape me in so many profound ways. I also never anticipated how having a child with a kidney condition would prove to be the stimulus for change that I so desperately needed in my life. I decided to start my own certified organic baby food business, Maddy’s Organic Meals (M.O.M.).

Madeleine Dora Boneck, now a healthy three year old, was diagnosed with hydronephrosis and bi-lateral ureteral reflux before she was even born. As pernicious as this news was, I was determined to remain optimistic about her inevitable surgery. How could I make her recovery that much easier? I started looking into what I was putting into her body.

I wanted Maddy to have the safest, highest quality and nutrient rich, organic foods. I wanted the best, which meant buying organic, buying locally and buying seasonally. When actually turning over a jar of baby food, it was astounding the amount of sugar, pesticides, preservatives, fillers that are somehow deemed acceptable for babies to consume. I was also baffled at the shelf life on many shelf stable commercial baby foods. How could the food still be worth consuming after 2 years? As well, I also learned of what the Environmental Working Group has calls The Dirty Dozen. These are fruits and vegetables so highly sprayed with toxic chemicals that many experts recommend eating them only when they are organic. Many of which are staples in a baby’s diet. These include:
Apples
Cherries
Grapes, imported (Chili)
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Raspberries
Strawberries
Bell peppers
Celery
Potatoes
Spinach

Research shows that babies eat more food in relation to their size. When toxins/pesticides are consumed an infants’ digestive system adsorbs the toxins faster than an adults but because of their still-developing gastrointestinal tract, are not able to break these toxins down. Thus the pesticides stay in their system. Research suggests that these pesticides disrupt the development of the nervous system, organ development, have been linked to learning and behavioral disorders later in life.

Not satisfied with these findings, I started visiting local farmers markets to purchase fresh, local, organic produce each week to make Maddy’s food. It was beyond gratifying. Which eventually led to a timely question from my husband as we were doing our weekly farmer market shopping. He turned to me and asked, “If you could start a business, what would it be?” I told him without skipping a beat…homemade organic baby food. It was that instinctual response that started this wonderful journey.

Hence, Maddy’s Organic Meals (M.O. M.) officially launched in June 2007. Our mission is to bring the rich, nutritional value of local, sustainable and certified organic ingredients from the Heartland’s best farms to your baby. We know our farmers personally. They are the face behind the food. Madeleine is of course the inspiration! We’ve also taken great care in considering packaging as well. All our frozen 4oz. servings come in BPA-Free #2 plastic cups, so parents can microwave the meals without the worry of leeching of toxins found in #7 and #3 plastics.

Our growth has been slow and steady over the course of 2 ½ years. We are in numerous specialty grocery stores in the city of Chicago and a few stores on the East and West coast. We have a local delivery service and an online ordering business which is doing well. We have been very intentional in not conceding on how our product is made and where we source our ingredients. We have chosen to work with fresh, local, organic ingredients that have been grown with care and made with love. We are very grateful that we can make a product we believe in, still raise a family and hopefully let parents know that baby food can actually taste like food.

Tips for Parents

-Look for locally grown produce. Fruits and vegetables that are grown far away require after-harvest pesticides and waxes to help them survive the long trip. And produce that has to travel is often picked before ripening, which reduces flavor as well as nutrients. Also, if you are concerned about food miles, this is a great option.
-Try to stick to buying organic fruits and vegetables on the Dirty Dozen list.
-Peaches are the highest in pesticide content. Organic, organic, organic.
-Buy organic milk that supports the smaller family dairy farmers. Free of hormones and antibiotics. One of our local favorites is Traders Point Creamery of Zionsville, Indiana (producer-handler). We’ve visited the creamery. These cows live the life! As it should be.
-Purchase produce in season.
-Making your own baby food is more economical. However, if that isn’t appealing enough. Call Maddy’s Organic Meals and we’ll deliver to your door step or ship it to you.

Bon Appétit,
Dori Boneck
Founder and Maddy’s mom

www.maddysorganicmeals.com

Trying To Be Greener

Another satistifed mom. Read a review of M.O.M. here

Green Parent Chicago Blog Post

Christine Escobar, writer of Green Parent Chicago and mom of two, did a wonderful write up on M.O.M. Check it out here.

Move Over Gerber

Maddy's got a great write up to start our New Year off properly. Read here to get the entire scoop.