A lot has changed as a parent the second time around with baby #2. In the last 6 years with a huge rise in concern over the effect of pesticides and toxins on young infants there are many more natural products available. Honestly though, I was raised to look at price tags and not ingredients (I think it’s a generational thing, were you raised the same?). Now though, being a parent in the age of Internet information at our fingertips, coupled with living in San Francisco and surrounded by so many healthier-food movements has forced me to re-evaluate my decisions I make as a parent and mother. Price tags still play a role in how I make household decisions, but I have noticed a shift lately in how I think about the products and food I buy for my family, and especially a sweet new baby.
I’m working with Target on a series of challenges around the Made to Matter, Handpicked by Target™ collection: a grouping of all the better for you products at Target in one place. I’ll be focusing on incorporating some of these products in my daily routine caring for this cute baby over the next few weeks. When I first heard about the program, I was surprised there wasn’t a collection of these like-minded brands together at Target. It’s a really inspiring group of companies you and I already love like method, Plum Organics, Burts Bees and so on. Target has brilliantly grouped them all together, located at one place on the site.
So, how cool is this: A few weeks ago I had the chance to chat with Neil Grimmer, President of Plum Organics. They pioneered the baby food pouch that now has become a staple in so many diaper bags of moms I know. When I was pregnant and first asked some mom friends about what the biggest innovation has been since having Henry 6 years ago, they mentioned this brand, Plum Organics. I’ve been excited to try it out, and super stoked to be able to interview Neil…
This post is sponsored by Target. The Made To Matter line has been handpicked by Target to bring you brands that make things better for your you, your family, and the place we all call home.
Photography by Liz Stanley
When we spoke, Neil talked a lot about how proud he was to be part of Made to Matter. These are brands that you find in almost everyone’s home. Better products for the home and for your life. All the brands are good friends (I love this video of them sharing a meal here) and partnership and collaboration are at the core of this program.
He sees his mission at CEO of Plum Organics to change the way kids eat in the first few months of their life. I love thinking about food in that way. Henry is a picky eater, and I often wonder if I had exposed Henry to more interesting flavor combinations and spices at a young age if he would have carried those tastes on as he transitioned from infant to toddler and then childhood. The flavor combination at Plum Organics is above and beyond anything I fed Henry. Neil describes them as just pureed and organic versions of the food you’re already eating as a family (on a good day!) like quinoa, kale, pumpkin and greek yogurt. Why not? Why do babies have to eat boring food? Why can’t their first experiences be richer?
It’s difficult as parents to make those decisions about buying organic and natural versus cheap when you’re on a budget. Organic food costs more. Plum Organics and other brands have tried to make it as accessible as possible, but it’s still a big step for parents used to looking only at price tags. Baby food has suffered by that drive for lowest price point. It’s a different process from the jar to the pouch full of veggies and quinoa and yogurt.
Neil talked about his experience as a young parent. Both he and his wife were working and spending so much time making their own baby food because they weren’t satisfied with the offerings of baby food on the shelf, both in variety and quality. “There has to be a better way,” he said. So, Plum Organics was formed. “We weren’t just making baby food but we were shaping a course of health for their life.” “Organic from the first bite.” What a great mission behind a healthy product and company.
I’m excited to give this challenge a try, here are a few products in the program:
