Our Process
Our food
We purchase food from local produce companies that serve as a link between Colorado farmers and consumers. Occasionally, we obtain organic food from our local CSAs (community supported agriculture), big box stores such as Whole Foods, or our own vegetable and herb gardens. As part of our business model, we use predominantly Colorado ingredients to make our recipes. However, at times when local is not an option, we use organic ingredients grown in other parts of the Western USA as much as possible. We prepare all our food for home delivery and farmer's markets, using only stainless steel or glass cookware and appliances.
Our baby food is good to eat for three days fresh and up to three months frozen. Once defrosted, it has a three day shelf life in the fridge. If kept in the freezer we recommend consuming during the first month for optimal nutritional benefit. Defrosted food that has been in your freezer between one to three months it is still safe for your baby to consume, after three months the food will start to lose its nutritional benefit.
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Our kitchen We may have hatched the idea for our business in our own respective kitchens, but all the food Urban Baby Gourmet currently produces is made at the Kitchen Network on Morison Road, a USDA and Colorado Dept of Agriculture certified commercial commissary kitchen. The kitchen is part of the Morrison Road Neighborhood Business Revitalization Area, so supporting our company is also helping support the renewal of a previously blighted area in west-central Denver. |
Environmental certifications
We only purchase organic foods, including all spices, or foods grown according to organic standards (without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers) in our own gardens. As our business grows, we plan on obtaining our own USDA organic certification, but due to the cost of licensure currently we cannot label ourselves as organic.
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We are a member of Colorado Proud, a state program highlighting locally grown, raised and processed food and agricult ural products designed to promote Colorado farmers, ranchers, greenhouses, manufacturers and processors. | |
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We also use no-GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and a 'reduce, reuse, recycle' model to provide your baby with food with the least environmental impact. As part of this model, we compost all unused food products. |
Packaging
Urban Baby Gourmets packaging goal is to provide you with a solution that is safe for your baby and environmentally friendly at the same time. We are firmly committed to avoiding traditional petroleum-based plastics and other similar materials. In the past we have tried several different packaging materials in search of the most functional eco-friendly packaging for our food. So far, PLA is the most sensible solution but we are open to other options as they become available.
Our current packaging solution is a 4 oz PLA container called Greenware; it is a premium PLA product made from the NatureWorks® Ingeo™ biopolymer. Greenware is a crystal clear product that features a rolled rim for a tighter seal and leak-resistant lid. It is designed to be frozen and offers a slightly higher temperature threshold. It does not leech into food or contain any unnatural chemicals because it is made from natural and renewable plant based energy sources.
The model of selling 4 oz packages in two or nine unit multi-packs requires the use of a recyclable box for distribution. Our boxes are made from 40% post-consumer content and are 100% recyclable. We also use labels that contain post consumed materials whenever available.
Our packaging CAN NOT be put into the microwave. We recommend defrosting in the refrigerator or dipping the base of a frozen container into warm water for easy removal. Our fares do not require to be heated, however some are more flavorful when they are. Heating your baby’s food should be done with caution and should always be tested prior to feeding.
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What is PLA? Polylactic acid, or Polylactide is a plant based biopolymer resin that is derived from 100% annually renewable resources such as plants. Commercially compostable, PLA can be molded into a clear strong product that will rival traditional petroleum-based plastic. Many consumer goods are made from PLA including fibers for apparel. Here is a look at how NatureWorks® PLA transforms plant sugar into their Ingeo™ biopolymer. Why use PLA? PLA products are an excellent alternative to petroleum-based products that are environmentally unfriendly and can potentially expose you to dangerous chemicals such as Bisphenol-A (BPA), Phthalates and PVC. Our packaging is GMO FREE, BPA FREE, Phthalate & PVC FREE. Our PLA packaging partner is a product called Greenware® manufactured from NatureWorks® Ingeo™ biopolymer. Greenware® is an American product that is completely sourced locally and manufactured domestically. NatureWorks® Ingeo™ biopolymer is the world’s first polymer showing a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The combination offers an environmentally friendly packaging solution that proposes no known health risks. The PLA we use is made from dextrose (sugar) and is derived from non-genetically modified organisms (GMO). Some PLA is made from GMO-corn, so it is important to note the difference. Our corn is also grown in the United States and according to NatureWorks website, is derived from corn grown in Nebraska. It is also fully compostable* under the right conditions or in managed facilities. To learn more about our packaging product, visit NatureWorks® and Greenware® for more details. Why not glass? Glass is not cost-effective for a small business to use on single use., and without a proper sanitation center to clean them, unfortunately re-use is not an option. In addition most of the glass that is available to us at this time is manufactured overseas and puts into question its? environmental friendliness. We plan to keep the option of using glass packaging open, but for now it is not the solution for us. Why not paper? Recycled or post-consumer paper is not an option; unfortunately USDA regulations prevent us from using these materials for packaging of food. All other paper options we have found are from raw materials and offer plastic lids or wax/plastic linings that would not match our commitment to traditional petroleum-based product aversion. What about other ecofriendly materials? We have tried Bagasse, which is made from the resin of sugarcane fibers, but unfortunately it was not a good solution for our product. We have learned through much trial-and-error that the eco-friendly packaging industry is still in its infancy. We feel that our current packaging solution is the best in the industry for our product. We will continue to be in the forefront as new materials and processes become available. Please email us if you have a solution that you feel would work for our products and we will gladly explore the possibility. *Composting facts: The rate of biodegration for different biocompostables is dependent upon the composition and thickness of the material as well as composting conditions. Commercial composting facilities grind the materials, turn over the piles and reach high temperatures, thus reducing the amount of time it takes to compost and, is thus, the recommended method for composting these products. Home composting rates are slower and can vary, depending on how frequently the pile is turned over, the moisture and material content and the temperature. The city of Denver is currently conducting a pilot composting program with 3,000 homes through May 2010 to assess the feasibility of a citywide program. Such a program would allow you to compost materials such as PLA from your own home. Click here to learn more and to support this effort. To learn more about general composting, visit: http://www.denvergov.org/Default.aspx?alias=www.denvergov.org/recoth |