Columbia health care provider shops around for parents amid baby formula shortage
A Columbia health care provider is seeking to get baby formula into the hands of its members who need it during the ongoing nationwide shortage.
Little Tree Pediatrics, under the Big Tree Medical umbrella, is shopping stores and reaching out to its wholesale provider to get formula to families at cost, said Jen Wheeler, Big Tree Medical co-founder.
The medical service has clinics in Columbia, Jefferson City, Boonville and Sedalia.
Wheeler was at the Walmart on Grindstone Parkway in Columbia over the weekend, finding the formula shelves completely empty.
"I was completely shocked. I heard rumblings about the formula crisis, but I do not have babies right now, so it didn't hit home for me until I saw it with my own eyes," she said.
While Big Tree works with wholesalers, staff members are in stores every day to shop, as well. This higher frequency of visits to retailers can take the burden off families who are unable to get out to stores every day, Wheeler said.
"I asked one of my employees to just start looking as she is in stores," she said.
Big Tree, which has monthly service plans, has posted to social media about its work to provide formula to its members. Big Tree is unable to process Medicaid, but does have members with lower income levels, Wheeler said.
"(Members) are mainly average, hard-working families," she said.
The clinics are keeping a list of what types of formula members need, whether it is infant or toddler formula.
When that particular formula is available, it will be ordered from their wholesaler or bought at local stores. The member pays exactly what Big Tree paid, Wheeler said.
"Of all the people in the city, we go to stores every day and it is different stores," Wheeler said. "We will start calling moms who do not have the luxury of going to as many stores as we do in a week.
"We can be an extra set of eyes trying to help with this problem. We are going to be like big sisters and help our moms out as much as possible."
Social media groups also a resource
Families in Columbia are increasingly turning to social media to find sources of baby formula as store shelves often remain barren or with limited selection.
Regular group postings to "Work together In the Community-Columbia Missouri" include photos from inside Sam's Club showing what items are available, including when infant formula is on the shelves.
Other posts to this group are those seeking formula. Group members are directing those people to another private group, "Show Me Formula: Mid Missouri."
This is where mothers and others can post photos where formula can be found or make a request if in search of formula, according to the group's description.
To further aid families, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a fact sheet on how to obtain formula. This same fact sheet was posted to the Nextdoor app for mobile devices.
How did the formula shortage happen?
Since late January, the Food and Drug Administration has investigated the Sturgis, Michigan-based Abbott Nutrition formula plant.
The manufacturer by mid-February recalled various lots of formula following multiple infant hospitalizations and two deaths from a rare bacterial infection.
The plant was shuttered because of the contaminated formula, which has led to the often barren shelves in grocery stores, in pharmacies and other locations.
Abbott is one of four formula manufacturers covering about 40% of the market. According to Datasembly, the out-of-stock shortage nationwide sat at 43% as of May 8.
There is good news on the horizon: Abbott on Monday was authorized to reopen the Sturgis plant.
It still will take an average of eight to 10 weeks before stock starts to replenish.
President Joe Biden last week announced an easing on restrictions on types of formula parents can purchase and allowance for increased imports of formula to restock shelves.
How much formula do infants need?
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' Women, Infants and Children program, formula-fed infants typically need up to 32 fluid ounces of formula per day by the time they reach six months.
WIC provides formula to eligible families at rebated prices. The program has a list of formula alternatives for families through the end of May if one particular brand is out.
Without the rebates, the average monthly cost of formula is $411 to $874, depending on brand, according to financial advice website Smart Asset.
One level, not-packed scoop of formula is about one tablespoon or one-half ounce. This measure goes into two fluid ounces of water, based on a Similac formula guide.
A roughly 12.5-ounce canister of formula equals about 25 two-ounce bottles, for a total of 50 fluid ounces.
Charles Dunlap covers courts, public safety and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Please consider subscribing to support vital local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Little Tree Pediatrics helps Columbia-area families with baby formula
