Feeding Future Generations

Did you know 5,860 of the 9,300 (63%) of babies born in Alaska each year will receive assistance from the Women Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program? According to the CDC, infants in this category are at a higher risk of developing food allergies and obesity.

The early developmental age is critical for physical and mental development. Starting these years off right can boost immune systems and decrease risks of chronic disease, food allergies, and obesity. What we feed our children now impacts their future health.

Currently WIC prohibits combinations of proteins and vegetables, organic ingredients, fresh-frozen goods and packaging offering multiple servings. Bambino’s is advocating for WIC to allow healthier food combinations and environmentally conscious product production and delivery. Specifically to:

• allow organic ingredients in baby food
• allow fresh-frozen foods
• permit multiple servings in the same packaging
• permit combinations of protein, grains, and vegetables

These measures would improve nutrition and reduce food and package waste.

As parents, we want our children to have the highest quality and most nutritionally sound food to grow healthy and strong.

Bambino’s Baby Food was created to elevate the health of our children. We want to inspire change and improve lives. Our produce is grown by Alaskan farmers using certified organic methods, and our wild Alaska salmon is sustainably harvested and rich in omegas. Our approach innovates the baby food industry and inspires healthy, conscious manufacturing.

Our fresh meals are created locally in Anchorage using a flash freeze method that locks in natural nutrients. No fortified supplements are necessary. Each bag of Bambino’s Baby Food contains five portions, requiring less packaging and reducing waste.

WE NEED YOUR HELP:
For eight years, I have been advocating at state and federal levels to improve the health of our children. Alaska-made baby food products support our food security. Our children need us to take action. We have one year left to make it happen. WIC is a federal program; however, the State of Alaska has jurisdiction to bypass USDA regulations and add Bambino’s Baby Food to the list of WIC-eligible foods.

If you feel called to help, scan the QR code below for more information and help us create a healthier future for Alaska’s children.

With much love and respect,

Zoi Maraudas
Founder CEO, Bambino’s Baby Food,
Medical Nutritionist

Find Bambino’s Baby Food
• Carrs Safeway in the organic frozen foods section.
• Fred Meyer in Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer, and Wasilla in stand-alone freezers in the baby aisles.
• Visit our storefront at 2819 Spenard Road, Anchorage, AK 99503 907-248-0902.
• Shop online at bambinosbabyfood.com for nationwide delivery.

This story originally appeared in Issue No. 29, Fall 2023