Many parents prefer to make baby foods at home for a variety of reasons, including:
· Commercial baby foods are heated to temperatures that destroy much of the nutritional value,
· Concerns about safety standards,
· Home-made foods are fresher because they can be prepared immediately before serving or frozen to preserve freshness,
· Parents can control the specific ingredients, making it the safest food for their babies.
Allowing additional funds for the purchase of fresh or frozen produce through WIC will provide support for farmers and for families while not costing any additional funds. Instead of providing jarred foods, those funds could be used for purchasing ingredients for baby foods.