by Allison Micarelli-Sokoloff
March 10, 2010

On January 12, Earth’s Best celebrated its 25^th anniversary by ringing the NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell. Hours later, I was at the grocery store, standing at the register, watching the clerk slide each pretty little glass jar over the scanner. $1, $2, $3… $9… $18. I left the store with $30 less in my pocket and a (reusable) bag full of organic baby food. $30? I didn’t get more than a week’s worth, I thought to myself. But $30 is what it takes to feed my 8-month-old boy three square meals a day. Three square pesticide-free meals a day.

There’s definitely a trend toward buying organic that cannot be dismissed. Due to growing demand, supermarkets are stocking up on organic everything (including baby food) and sales are through the roof: According to a survey by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) U.S. sales of organic foods reached $22.9 billion in 2008, a 15.8 percent increase over 2007 sales. And despite the recession, organic food sales are still booming.

Is organic baby food really worth that price?

Some would argue no.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), despite the fact that organic foods are produced without conventional pesticides, antibiotics, or growth hormones, they are no more nutritious than other store-bought foods. Likewise, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not guarantee that organic foods are safer or more nutritious. And according to a study conducted this past summer commissioned by the British government’s Food Standards Agency, “there is no evidence to support the selection of organically over conventionally produced foods on the basis of nutritional superiority.”

Chew on this
The biggest offenders of pesticide-laden foods are just the foods moms and dads want their young children (starting in infancy) to be eating: apples, pears, oranges, to name a few. TreeHugger.com posted a slideshow of the top 12 offenders (check it out, we think you’ll be surprised). Armed with the knowledge that pesticides may harm the development of babies’ brains, given a choice between organic foods or conventionally produced ones, is there really a choice?

As I introduce my son to these basic fruits, I am comforted by the “Certified Organic by the USDA” seal on his baby food jars. I know they contain no artificial colors, flavors, no preservatives or genetically engineered ingredients, no added salt, no added sugar. I am a bargain shopper, but not when it comes to my baby’s health. So this week (and for many weeks after) I’ll be back in line at the grocery store—30 jars up, $30 down.