New York Attorney General Letitia James visited Foodlink on Wednesday to announce a donation of more than 3,300 cans of formula valued at more than $140,000.
The donation is the result of a recent settlement from an investigation into formula supplier Marine Park Distribution Inc. (Marine Park) and its affiliate Formula Depot Inc. (Formula Depot) for illegally raising the prices of baby formula during the 2022 shortage. In addition to donating baby formula, which will be distributed to New Yorkers in need, Marine Park and Formula Depot have paid a $75,000 penalty. In total, $675,000 worth of baby formula will be distributed across the state.
“During a nationwide shortage of baby formula, families in Rochester, like so many across the state, scrambled to find enough formula for their babies,” said Attorney General James. “Taking advantage of an emergency to squeeze profit from desperate families is shameful and illegal. Thanks to my office’s investigation, we’re delivering 3,300 cans of baby formula to Rochester families. I thank Foodlink and all of its partner organizations who will help distribute this baby formula and support families in need. My office will continue to go after any business that tries to exploit a crisis and cheat New Yorkers.”
Foodlink will work with its numerous partner organizations, such as the Healthy Baby Network, to distribute baby formula to those in need. Earlier this year, Maria Wehrle, who founded Mothers in Need of Others (MINO), joined the Foodlink team and will help lead a new Health & Wellness program to address the need for non-food items in Foodlink’s network.
“We’re grateful to Attorney General Letitia James for this donation of formula,” said Julia Tedesco, President & CEO of Foodlink. “This timely donation aligns perfectly with the launch of our Health and Wellness Program. Our network of food pantry partners has identified a growing need for baby products and other hygiene and non-food items, and this donation will be invaluable to our members and their clients who are in need of formula.”
Baby formula is a critical food source for the vast majority of infants across the country. Three out of four infants in the U.S. consume baby formula during the first six months of their lives. The 2022 shortage caused by a manufacturing plant closure and recall created significant hardship for families across New York as supplies dwindled and prices rose. In May 2022, Attorney General James issued warnings to more than 30 retailers across the state to stop overcharging for baby formula after consumers reported unreasonably high prices. An OAG investigation found that Marine Park, which sells baby formula to retailers, and Formula Depot, which sells to consumers online, raised prices over 60 percent more than was allowed under the law during the shortage, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars more in revenue.
“Baby formula is not an optional purchase for families with an infant, and taking advantage of a national shortage to force parents to overpay is unconscionable,” said Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans. “We already know of mothers and fathers living on a tight budget who, faced with an unexpected increase in the cost of baby formula, would go hungry to ensure there’s enough for their child. I’m grateful to Attorney General Letitia James for pursuing this case and sharing the resulting settlement with Rochester families through Foodlink. At this time of year especially, no one should go hungry, least of all a baby.”
New Yorkers can report potential concerns about price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) by filing a complaint online, or calling 800-771-7755.
