Swampscott Mom Builds Site To Combat National Baby Formula Shortage

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — As the nationwide baby formula shortage becomes more dire by the day, a mother in Swampscott created a solution she believes can help everyone affected.

Keiko Zoll, a mother and non-profit communications professional who lives in Massachusetts, built the Free Formula Exchange website Friday to connect people who need baby formula with people who have it.

Inspiration struck Zoll in the driveway. A recent episode of the Post Reports podcast highlighted the stories of families affected by the formula shortage. One woman reported finding an eBay listing that offered a single can of formula for $300. Out of desperation, she almost bought it.

"It enraged me," Zoll told Patch in an interview Monday. "Then at the same time, I'm, like, sitting in my driveway, sobbing, because I remember what it was like to be a mom that needed formula."

When her son was born six weeks early, Zoll made the switch to formula to make sure he got all the nutrients he needed. His gastrointestinal issues meant he also needed a specific formula Zoll remembers looking everywhere for with little luck.

"That was nine years ago, when there were no supply issues," Zoll said. "And oh, my God, what if I was that parent now?"

She knew she could use her experience in advocacy and activism to help, and by late Friday night, she'd built freeformula.exchange.

A Simple Solution To A Complex Problem

The U.S. lost one of its largest manufacturers of baby formula in February when Abbott Nutrition shut its factory doors temporarily after its formula was linked to several babies becoming ill. The shutdown was one of multiple factors, including supply chain issues, that the Food and Drug Administration says contributed to the baby formula shortage.

As of the end of April, 40 percent of formula was out of stock across the country, according to data from Datasembly. The FDA announced plans to address the shortage Monday, but its solutions will take time. Hungry babies nationwide need solutions as soon as possible.

Parents have taken to social media this week to share baby formula with those who need it. Free Formula Exchange was created to streamline the process.

The website is simple: If you're a parent in need of formula, you click "I NEED FORMULA." If you have extra you're willing to donate, head to "I HAVE FORMULA TO GIVE."

More than 600 people had requested formula through the site as of Monday afternoon, when Zoll spoke with Patch, and 82 had signed up to donate. The numbers are likely even higher now, as the site garners more support across the country.

The mutual aid network is designed to be a completely free resource, explicitly stating on the site that "no paid transactions are permitted."

"It's not about exchanging dollars," Zoll told Patch. "It's about exchanging humanity."

In addition to formula donors, Zoll is also looking for volunteers who can offer their expertise to help run the site, from translations to web development. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to send an email to freeformulaexchange@gmail.com.