Target:Hunger Springfield Initiates an Infant Formula Food Pantry

In March a new infant formula food pantry will be opening in the Mason Square area to accommodate women needing infant formula near the end of the month. Typically pantries do not stock this item, leaving many of the women no choice except to water down formula to stretch it or substituting fruit juice in its place. Unfortunately, this is a regular occurrence for many resulting in inadequate nutrition for the infant. WIC is a great program and addresses the need for infant formula but it is a supplemental program and not designed to carry the full load. Through Target:Hunger meetings the need for infant formula came to light thanks to Frank Robinson from Partners for a Healthier Community, WIC and a number of food pantries. The Target:Hunger Strategy 1 Team, who focuses on reducing the number of people who are hungry now by connecting them effectively with emergency food, decided to address the issue.

The team approached this issue looking both to solve the immediate need and the underlying causes. In addressing the immediate need, there was an assumption among the community that formula was available from pediatricians and health care systems but this turned out to be untrue. Both the health systems and pediatricians reported that they too saw a need for formula but they didn’t have a solution. This is where The Food Bank stepped in. Through increased funding this year from the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program (MEFAP), The Food Bank has managed to buy infant formula to stock the pantry. A site for the pantry has not yet been determined but will be soon.

However, the underlying issues causing this specialized food shortage still need addressing and the team continues to work towards that. Amherst college students researched the issue and wrote a policy brief unearthing several layers to the problem, including the question of whether the mother’s of these infants themselves have adequate nutrition. It also is clear that society’s policies, as they exist today, do not support the mothers who are in the teen population. They are required to immediately return to school in order to maintain benefits and assistance yet it is doubtful that they are provided with an area where they can pump breast milk and store it. Underlying causes will take time to be addressed.