Even if your own diet is selectively organic, it's a good idea to take extra care when feeding your kids. The EPA says infants and children are particularly vulnerable to pesticides for two reasons: their internal organs are still developing, and they ingest more than adults (relative to body weight).

Feeding your baby organic produce, whole grains and complex flavors now could also help inspire a greener diet later in life. "We have a role

in teaching the next generation healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime," says pediatrician Susanna Block, creator of Seattle-based Dr. Susanna's World Baby Foods.

Dr. Block blends organically grown vegetables and fruits with fresh

spices like coriander, turmeric and wasabi. Her baby dal, for example, offers a perfect food pyramid of brown rice, lentils, apple and carrots flavored with cilantro, cumin, ginger and turmeric.

"Introducing babies to multicultural cuisine early is a wonderful way

to help them engage the sense of taste as well as providing a basic introduction to different cultures," says Dr. Block.

Two other local companies also serve savory spreads for tots. Full Tank Foods offers inventive frozen combos like organic pear/quinoa and organic black bean/banana that are designed to please picky eaters.

And Lil' Locals, produced by Queen Anne's Eat Local Foods, provides seasonal organic produce like cauliflower, squash or carrot, mixed with heart-healthy olive oil. "We get everything as locally as we can," says Eat Local retail staffer Chelcie Blackmun, "normally within 100 miles."

Want to taste-test with your tots? Look for Dr. Susanna's World Baby Foods' at these local grocers, Full Tank Foods' in the frozen food aisles

at these stores, and Lil' Locals exclusively at Eat Local Foods, 2400 Queen Anne Avenue North.