Long Beach will distribute 1,000 cans of infant formula in the wake of a supply chain shortage that’s left many families unable to obtain this vital source of nutrition for their babies.
In February, supply chain pressures, a sudden formula recall and the subsequent shutdown of an Abbott formula factory in Michigan caused a nationwide shortage of baby formula.
For months after, formula was sparse at local grocers, with stores such as Target, Ralphs and CVS limiting the number of containers customers could purchase.
Nonprofits and community groups tried to fill the void. Toi Nichols, founder of the nonprofit M.O.R.E Mothers, personally experienced the impact of the shortage. Her nonprofit provides resources to new and expecting mothers.
“With the formula shortage, we had an influx of new mothers that were looking for resources based around feeding their children,” Nichols told the Signal Tribune. She began referring mothers to other organizations and providing nutrition classes when she didn’t have enough formula on hand.
In late May, as mothers struggled to find food for their infants, Los Angeles County purchased $750,000 worth of formula, according to a news release from Supervisor Hilda Solis.
On Tuesday, the Long Beach City Council approved a motion to receive 1,000 cans of formula from the county.
To receive infant formula from the City of Long Beach, parents must meet a set of qualifications set by the County, such as receiving Medi-Cal benefits, being employed without insurance, having a Housing Choice Voucher, or enrollment in public assistance programs like CalWORKS, and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits.
The cans will also be distributed at WIC locations in the city and community-based events, according to Long Beach Health and Human Services Director Kelly Colopy.
Once the city receives the formula, it will be distributed within 30 days.
