There’s a shortage of infant formula nationwide. However, Worcester families have options.
Free baby formula is now available in the City and surrounding areas thanks to a community effort that includes Edward Street, the Together for Kids Coalition, the United Way of Central Massachusetts, local food pantries, the Worcester Family Resource Center (an affiliate of the Seven Hills Foundation), the Worcester Food Task Force, and local leaders and state legislators.
Here’s how to access free baby formula for your family.
Get started at the Worcester Family Resource Center
Infant formula can be found at many local food pantries, but families are urged to start at the Worcester Family Resource Center.
- Call 508.796.1411 or email Mahly Alejandro at MAlejandro@sevenhills.org or Shainy Fuentes Gonzalez at SFuentesGonzalez@sevenhills.org
Contacting the Family Resource Center will help community leaders understand Worcester’s ongoing baby formula needs. It also provides families with benefits such as:
- Convenient and free baby formula availability
- Information for families in need of specialized, allergy-free infant formula
- Connections to baby formula availability long-term
- Connections to additional family resources, as needed
Other avenues for finding baby formula in Worcester and Central Massachusetts
- Go directly to local food pantries such as Pernet Family Health, El Bueno Samaritano, Catholic Charities of Worcester County, and Friendly House
- Food Help Worcester’s baby formula webpage directs visitors to food pantries with baby formula in stock
- If affordability is not a concern, check out the WFFF - Formula Swap Group Facebook group, where local families share real-time photos of baby formula in stock at big box stores and local shops
Worcester’s baby formula story: a community effort
Did you know that 2,500 babies are born to Worcester residents per year on average in addition to 7,500 babies in surrounding areas?
Among these families, Massachusetts WIC data from October through March of 2021 shows an average of 13,728 infants fully fed on formula and 5,696 infants partially fed on formula.
Worcester clearly has a need for baby formula.
So, when shortages struck, community leaders, elected officials, and organizations such as Edward Street, the United Way of Central Massachusetts, the Together for Kids Coalition, Pernet Family Health, and the Worcester Family Resource Center swung into action. (The group meets on Zoom every Monday at 8:30 AM to coordinate the City’s baby formula response. All are welcome. For more information, contact Dodi Swope at dcswope@charter.net.)
Collectively, $70,000 has already been raised to purchase baby formula for Worcester’s food pantries, including $50,000 via a fund established by the United Way of Central Massachusetts.
Worcester’s response to infant formula shortages is yet another example of our City’s resilience. As with COVID-19, the community came together during a time of need. We may be large but we’re capable of mobilizing quickly and effectively.
Edward Street is proud to support high-quality early childhood programming and healthy development. Donate today so children and families can thrive, and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.