With all the talk about pesticides in our produce and the possible dangers of pesticide consumption for children, you may be concerned about feeding your baby conventionally-grown foods (once he or she is ready to eat solids). As someone who never worried about such things before becoming a mom, though, you may be daunted by the high price of organic produce (and maybe organic baby food) in our local supermarkets. Here are some suggestions for how to feed your little one worry-free, without breaking the bank.

1. Seek out organic produce at your local farmer's market. Buying local is an added benefit here, since locally-grown produce often retains more nutrients than produce shipped around the world before arriving at the local Safeway. Find a farmers market here if you're in DC, here if you're in Maryland, and here if you're in Northern Virginia.

2. Instead of going all-out and buying everything organic, buy organic only for those items in the "dirty dozen": peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes. These are the items found to have the highest level of pesticide residue.

3. Start your own organic garden! Admittedly you probably won't be able to grow peaches, apples, etc., but a number of other items (bell peppers, strawberries, lettuce) can be grown in your back yard. Live in an apartment with no backyard? Some vegetables, such as cucumbers and tomatoes, lend themselves well to be grown in smaller spaces such as planters on your balcony.

If you are unable to obtain organic produce within your budget or at a reasonable price, however, don't worry too much: many experts believe that feeding your baby organic food makes little to no difference.

Another possible way to save money on baby food is to make your own. Although the convenience of jarred baby food can't be denied, many new moms do not realize that it can also be extremely easy to make your own. Feeding your baby can be as simple as mashing a ripe banana or microwaved sweet potato (neither of which is on the "dirty dozen" list and both of which can often be found cheaply in the supermarket) with a fork. Be sure to refrigerate leftovers immediately, but discard any food that has been touched by the spoon you are feeding your baby with (to prevent bacterial growth). Homemade baby food can also be frozen in small portions in an ice-cube tray.