Local shortages on baby formula, meat pushing prices higher
As the baby aisle in local grocery stores have become increasingly bare of formula, Washington County parents have taken to community Facebook groups, trading leftover formula, suggesting local doctors who have sample packs — some even describing ways to order baby formula from Canada.
Ongoing global supply chain disruptions and national inventory shocks continue to pressure the availability and price of consumer goods, with Washington County notably impacted by a shortage of baby formula and the increasing price of meat.
Local restaurants are especially experiencing pressure from meat prices. Chili’s, 2131 SE Washington Blvd., told customers this week that many menu items including chicken would be unavailable.
Similarly, the menus at Senior Salsa, 621 SE Washington Blvd., now adorn a sticker reading “Due to increasing costs in the food distribution industry out of our control, we’ll be adding $1 to all grilled chicken and steak meals. We greatly appreciate your understanding on this matter.”
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Katie Gilbert, co-owner of Frank and Lola’s, 200 E 2nd St., said the restaurant is struggling with several items, including straws, but meat prices have been especially high.
“It was so high we weren't even offering ribeyes for a while. It went down a little bit, so they’re back on the menu, but they’re more expensive than they used to be,” Gilbert said.
Baby formula, on the other hand, is not just impacted by price, but availability. Studies show the national out-of-stock rate of formula increased from 3.4% in January 2021 to 17.9% in January 2022. The February product recall, then factory shutdown, of major formula manufacturer Abbott exaggerated the problem.
The week of May 8, Oklahoma had a formula out-of-stock rate of 43.6%, which is in line with a nationwide rate of 43%. The state is faring better than its neighbors, however, as the same week, the formula out-of-stock rates were 50.2% in Kansas and 52% in Texas, according to Bloomberg data.
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Where baby formula is available in Bartlesville
The Examiner-Enterprise conducted a Thursday point-in-time assessment of where specific formula brands and types could be found throughout Bartlesville. While this information will change as stores receive regular inventory shipments, it provides short-term insight into which formulas are in shortest supply locally.
The assessment covered Walmart, 4000 Green Country Rd., CVS, 3711 E Frank Phillips Blvd., United Supermarket, 1849 W 4th St., Aldi’s, 2554 E Washington Blvd., all three Homeland locations, both Walgreens locations and Harps Food Stores, 1605 N Osage Ave., Dewey.
Findings included that CVS and both Walgreens locations were especially low on formula. Walmart and CVS have enacted limits on the amount of formula customers can buy at once.
Gerber-brand formula was the easiest to find, with large stocks of various Gerber formulas at Walmart, United Supermarket, 1849 W 4th St., Aldi’s, 2554 E Washington Blvd., and the Homeland locations on Washington Boulevard and Madison Boulevard.
Similac-brand formula was most abundant at Walmart and the Homeland locations on Frank Phillips and Washington Boulevard., although it is more available in its liquid forms than in powdered forms. Several stores had a limited supply of Enfamil-brand formula, with the Homeland location on Washington Boulevard having the largest supply.
Harps did not have any formula in stock.