Lockdown Panic: Grocery Stores Locking Baby Formula Behind Glass as Prices Soar
Why Are Stores Locking Baby Formula?
Locked Shelves: Retailers Taking Action
Grocery stores have begun locking baby formula as prices for the powder continue to rise. Parents are noticing that formula is now kept behind locked Plexiglas, requiring an employee to unlock it for purchase.
Over the past two years, the average price of baby formula has increased by 30%, as reported by Statistics Canada through CBC. This surge in price has led to desperate measures by some parents who are struggling to feed their children.
“It’s absolutely disgusting that we’ve reached a point where people have to resort to stealing to feed their child,” expressed Alyssa Cassidy to CBC News. The issue of locking formula behind glass shelves has been prevalent in big cities like Toronto for years.
Financial Strain on Parents
In London, Ontario, parents are facing higher costs, with a week’s worth of formula ranging from $30 to $70. The increased prices have forced parents like Stephanie Green to make difficult choices between paying bills and buying formula.
Green shared, “You have to sacrifice sometimes or choose between one child having more or less. They [grocery chains] know it’s so overpriced that people are going to start stealing it.” The financial burden has pushed parents to optimize their spending, opting for cheaper brands and utilizing samples and testers to make ends meet.
Another mother, Amanda Brasier, emphasized the tough choice parents face between purchasing formula and meeting other financial obligations. She highlighted the need for prioritizing children’s needs amid rising costs.
Stores Taking Preventative Measures
Several major retailers have responded to the increase in formula theft by locking shelves to deter theft. Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, and other stores have implemented security measures to protect high-demand items like baby formula.
Challenges in Affordability
Lesley Frank, Canada Research Chair in food, health, and social justice, has studied the escalating prices of formula for a decade. She attributed the rising costs to higher factory, ingredient, and energy expenses, compounded by limited market competition.
A study conducted by Frank revealed that a significant percentage of families with young children faced food insecurity, with many expressing concerns about affording formula. The financial strain has led some families to prioritize formula purchases over essential bills, while a small percentage admitted to resorting to theft due to financial constraints.
Frank advocated for government intervention to address the affordability of baby food in Canada, echoing concerns raised in a previous report by The U.S. Sun on Target locking up baby formula to prevent theft.
In conclusion, the sharp increase in baby formula prices has placed a significant financial burden on parents, prompting stores to take precautionary measures to safeguard these essential products. With affordability concerns continuing to grow, advocacy for comprehensive interventions to address the root causes of this issue remains crucial.