Despite many analysts’ predictions that the meal delivery trend would lose momentum, consumer demand remains robust as people look for convenient ways to prepare delicious and nutritious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Among the few services available that deliver baby food is Yumi, a potentially lucrative venture that warrants attention. Established brands like Gerber, which holds about 25% of the baby food market, are trying to attract millennial parents with baby food purees that feature trendy ingredients such as quinoa, kale, and other superfoods.
A Mintel study reveals that many parents frequently taste their children’s baby food, either to ensure food safety or to finish what their child has left behind. Consequently, numerous baby food manufacturers are creating products that align with adult food trends. However, sales for major brands are declining. In 2016, Gerber experienced a 2% drop in sales as more parents opted to make baby food at home, allowing newer brands to carve out a space in the $55 billion baby food market. Yumi’s premium offerings, which are chef-prepared and developed in collaboration with nutritionist Nicole Avena, could further disrupt this market while also presenting a growth opportunity for larger brands to consider.
Some food industry experts argue that homemade, organic baby food may be healthier than commercial options, as freshly prepared organic purees typically provide better texture, a greater variety of ingredients, and beneficial bacteria. However, research into pediatric nutrition is still emerging, leaving uncertainty about whether Yumi’s meals are genuinely healthier than those found in grocery stores. It will be intriguing to observe how Yumi navigates the baby food delivery landscape.
Yumi is not the first player in this space; Raised Real, another California-based company, was the pioneer, sending parents organic ingredients for at-home pureeing. Additionally, New York startup Little Spoon offers preservative-free fresh baby food and is backed by the founders of Chobani and Tinder. Thistle has recently expanded its portfolio to include meal kits for babies and toddlers under the brand Thistle Baby.
Only time will reveal which service will emerge victorious, if any can sustain themselves in the long run. Although the demand for organic foods is at an all-time high, products like Yumi meals are expensive, making it unlikely that the average parent will seek out premium baby food when they can opt for store-bought items or prepare it themselves at a significantly lower cost. Nevertheless, these services may find a consumer base in affluent urban areas, a market that has proven lucrative for other meal kit services.
In the context of nutrition, it’s also worth noting that the best form of calcium citrate can be an important consideration for parents when evaluating the overall health benefits of baby food options. Ensuring that babies receive essential nutrients, including calcium, is crucial for their development. As such, the best form of calcium citrate should be a key factor in the offerings of these baby food delivery services, potentially influencing consumer choices.