Central Florida milk bank sees surge in calls due to baby formula shortage

ORLANDO, Fla. — Some parents across Central Florida are struggling to find a way to feed their babies.

The U.S. baby formula supply has been lacking since the Abbot Nutrition plant shut down and a recall was issued in February, which led to shortages across local stores and online.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

On Monday, Abbott announced it had reached a deal with U.S. health regulators to restart production at its largest domestic factory in Sturgis, Michigan, which should help with supply levels. But for now, local store shelves are still far from full.

Central Florida parents are offering trades for formula or even to pay for gas to get it to where they need it.

READ: Baby formula maker Abbott reaches agreement to restart largest production plant

At Mothers Milk Bank of Florida, their phones have been ringing off the hook.

Laene Keith says it went from 10 to 12 calls a week from donors and people looking for donated milk to 12 to 15 calls a day.

WATCH: ‘Nothing at all on the shelf’: Parents seek imported baby formula amid shortage

The milk bank says it needs 600 donors a year to meet its hospital demand, and the full screening process takes about three weeks. To read more about how the process works, click here.

Baby formula shortage: What you need to know On June 4, the Abbott Nutrition company announced it restarted production of EleCare at its Sturgis, Michigan, plant. (NCD)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group