Dehydrated baby food hits Austin market

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Part of the organic food movement has led a lot of parents to start looking for alternatives to store-bought, jarred baby foods.

A couple of Austin women have come up with a unique alternative called Nurturme , and it just hit store shelves three weeks ago.

Nurturme is dehydrated foods that are prepared by adding water, breast milk or formula at home. The creators said the dehydrating process preserves more nutrients

For moms like Sarah Lahmers, she has found the food to be one of the only things her 13-month-old son Jett will eat.

"You know, honestly, he's a very picky eater," said Lahmers. "I love it because it's 100 percent organic - no sugar, no salt, no preservatives. It's super easy to make."

And it's unlike anything on the baby food market right now.

"We are the alternative to jarred foods, so a pouch is the equivalent to a jar," said Nurturme co-founder and owner Caroline Freedman.

The Austin mom came up with the idea for dehydrating baby food while she was pregnant with her daughter Audrey. She pitched the idea to friend Lauren McCullough, and Nurturme was born.

"Currently, we have peas, apples, sweet potato and pumpkin," said Freedman.

"We basically go from Stage 1 all the way up to toddler foods," said McCullough, also a Nurturme co-founder.

That's possible just by the way you mix it.

"You have the option of mixing it with whatever kind of liquid you want, either water, breast milk - if you're nursing - or formula," said Freedman.

You can even add in a little rice cereal or mix the powder with other foods like mac anc cheese.

"Most importantly, it's more nutritious because it's dried, and the drying process preserves all the nutrients," said Freedman.

Not to mention parents on the go find it easy to bring along.

"You just toss it in your diaper bag, and it's really easy to use on the go," said Freedman.

Nurturme is currently sold at Whole Foods and Central Market.

The founders are having a free tasting Tuesday at the Central Market Austin-Westgate at 4477 South Lamar Blvd. starting at 10:30 a.m.