By Joseph Edelen

WILMINGTON — It has been just over a year since the launch of Delaware’s free infant formula distribution program to combat the nationwide shortage.

To bring further awareness to the program and its availability, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long joined community partners at the Wilmington Public Library on Monday, where she touted the importance nutrition plays in children’s development.

“There are 1,825 days where 90% of an infant’s brain is developed… early nutrition is paramount,” Lt. Gov. Hall-Long said. “That is why we are so appreciative to our partners, to Donate Delaware, the Food Bank (of Delaware) and others who helped us fund this to say, no one should be diluting formula and make sure that the brain is developed appropriately.”

In collaboration with organizations like the Food Bank of Delaware, Bank of America and Highmark, the Infant Formula Distribution Program first launched in February 2023.

Prior to the program’s official launch, the state partnered with Donate Delaware to purchase 44,000 canisters of Care A2+ infant formula from Genesco Pharma, which was selected due to its similarities to the commonly used brand Similac, according to the Division of Public Health.

As of earlier this month, there were approximately 15,500 28.2-oz canisters remaining for distribution to nonprofit organizations, which the lieutenant governor’s office said are set to begin expiring this fall.

Last July, the distribution program was expanded to allow Delaware families with children under the age of 1 to receive multiple canisters of infant formula when visiting one of the state’s 38 pickup locations.

Of the state’s distribution sites, there are 22 in New Castle County, three in Kent and 13 in Sussex, all which can be viewed by visiting ltgov.delaware.gov/formula/.

“What you don’t hear enough about is birth to 3 and making sure our infants, especially in neighborhoods and in families that can’t afford (it), get what they need to nourish their babies,” said Dr. Robert Andrzejewski, CEO of Donate Delaware.

The nationwide infant formula shortage peaked in the summer of 2022, when recalls and manufacturing pauses in February led to an increase in the national out-of-stock rate from 18% to 70%, according to the National Institutes of Health.

With the program dedicated to expanding availability of formula and ensuring healthy early childhood development, Lt. Gov. Hall-Long stressed the importance of not diluting formula and following directions on the label to best serve the child.

For more information on the Delaware Infant Formula Distribution Program, visit ltgov.delaware.gov/formula/.

Staff writer Joe Edelen can
be reached at jedelen@iniusa.org
Follow @JoeEdelenDSN on X