ROCHESTER, N.Y. — New York Attorney General Letitia James will deliver $675,000 worth of baby formula to New York families from the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) settlement with Marine Park Distribution Inc. and its affiliate Formula Depot Inc. for what her office calls illegal price gouging during the nationwide shortage in 2022.

James says her office received complaints that the price of one can of formula had risen from $18/can before the shortage to $36/can in 2022. The shortage was caused by a Michigan manufacturing plant closure and a recall.

“As everyone here knows, parents will do everything and anything for their children, even if it means paying outrageous prices for baby formula," James said. "Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened." 

What You Need To Know

  • A settlement has been reached that will bring $675,000 worth of baby formula to areas of New York who need it most
  • FoodLink will be distributing 3,300 cans of supply to the Rochester area first because New York Attorney General Letitia James says every 4 in 10 children are experiencing poverty and the area has the greatest need in upstate New York
  • The office aims to distribute to all communities in need throughout the state by Nov. 2025

“When breast milk is not available, formula is what is required,” said Sherita Bullock, the new president and CEO of Healthy Baby Network. “Not having enough formula, or diluting formula, has developmental consequences for babies. And so we caution parents absolutely not to do it [and] reach out in all the ways to services.”

James says the distribution will begin in Rochester where every 4 out of 10 children live in poverty and the need is the greatest. FoodLink has partnered to assist distributing efforts in Rochester. The nonprofit has already distributed 25.2 million pounds of food to those who need this year. There were 3,300 cans of baby formula delivered there on Wednesday morning.

“It’s going to alleviate some stress on families," Bullock said. "This is timely. It’s important to happen this time of the year when parents are struggling to meet other household needs and to provide gifts and toys and fun things for their families and for their children. So really, every little bit does help. It helps in ways that oftentimes are transparent to others who are not in that struggle and who are not doing that balancing act."

The AG’s office says this is among the many expected alleged price gouging cases she expects to come full circle.

“A storm is coming here to Rochester," she said. "And if anyone again, has any complaints with respect to price gouging, please reach out to the Office of the Attorney General at 1-800-771-7755."