Formula shortage impacts Grand Island nonprofit

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - The baby formula shortage is suspected to have begun during the early months of the pandemic in 2020, then a recall of several brands of baby formula created the shortage parents and nonprofits are dealing with today.

The recall was prompted by the discovery of a harmful form of bacteria at the facility that manufactures that baby formula.

But some may remember when COVID first hit, how sales of some items skyrocketed. One of those items was baby formula.

Then in 2021, the demand was lower, so companies produced less, and that, along with the recall, contributed to the shortage.

That shortage hasn’t been a welcomed sight for Grand Island nonprofit Hope Harbor.

“We usually get donations from people who are no longer needing the formula, so that we can go in turn and give it away and we just haven’t been able to do that lately,” Hope Harbor service coordinator Peachis Amadou said. “I mean I am worried about it, I am worried about the babies out there that are needing the formula.”

Even if Hope Harbor gets the needed donations, Amadou told Local4 News she is not sure they can help families who need specific types of formula.

“The formula that we do have is not the formula that we are able to give out, most people are needing the Enfamil with the yellow can a lot of babies are needing special formula and we don’t have that special. I wish that there was a way we could help them more,” Amadou said.

Amadou encourages people to donate formula to Hope Harbor by bringing it to their office in Grand Island at 615 West 1st Street.

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