Cassandra Shedden, a 33-year-old mother of three from Thunder Bay, Ontario, has faced the challenge of affording baby formula, resorting to selling items around her home to cover the costs. Shedden expressed her dismay at the current high prices of formula, which have surged by nearly 84% since 2017 and around 30% in the last two years, according to Statistics Canada.
Struggling to make ends meet, Shedden shared how she often had to prioritize between paying bills and ensuring her children are well-fed. To support her family, Shedden would make extra income by driving for a delivery service on top of her Ontario Disability Support Program funds.
Shedden’s six-month-old daughter, Charlotte, relies solely on formula due to weight gain issues. Shedden, who attempted breastfeeding her younger children without success, now spends approximately $90 to $120 per week on formula, even opting for the cheapest available brand, which typically lasts only three days.
The challenges Shedden faces are not unique, as other parents in her social media groups share similar struggles, with some resorting to desperate pleas for formula assistance until the next monthly Canada Child Benefit payment arrives. Lisa Ierullo, a member of the Facebook group Everything FREE – Thunder Bay, recounted receiving urgent requests from mothers late at night seeking financial aid for formula supplies.
Lesley Frank, a Canada Research Chair at Acadia University specializing in food, health, and social justice, highlighted the growing trend of online communities seeking formula assistance. Frank emphasized the severity of the situation, noting the rise in requests for formula aid across Canada.
The scarcity and high cost of formula have pushed some individuals to extreme measures, such as purchasing opened cans or resorting to theft due to limited access. Frank called attention to the necessity of increasing the Canada child benefit, providing food entitlements for breastfeeding women and young children, and potentially nationalizing formula production in Canada to alleviate the financial burden on families and ensure a stable supply chain.