As the leader of the US Digital Service team at the White House tasked with addressing the infant formula shortage in 2022, I thought it might be nice to share the story of how my team and I were able to help resolve this crisis.
To start, we took a different approach to the problem. We needed to find out the true extent of the shortage and understand the human story behind it. By obtaining data from retailers that showed the reality of the incredibly low stock on their shelves, we were able to better understand the true extent of the crisis and develop more effective solutions.
This data was different from what government agencies had previously used, which was data that aggregated sales as a surrogate for actual in-stock data. This made the shortage seem less severe than it actually was.
We also conducted generative research to better understand the human story behind the shortage. This helped us to hear the stories of families who were struggling to find formula for their infants, and understand the extent of the hardship they were experiencing.
In addition to the families who struggled to find formula for their infants, we heard heartbreaking stories of individuals who were unable to access the formula they needed to survive due to the shortage. This included those who required tube feeding of formula, as well as individuals with medical conditions that required specialized formulas that were in short supply.
As a result, we knew that we needed to act quickly and decisively to address the shortage and ensure that all individuals had access to the nutrition they needed. This made our efforts to obtain accurate data, understand the human story behind the crisis, and collaborate with the Domestic Policy Council and FDA all the more urgent and important.
Collaborating with the Domestic Policy Council allowed us to work across multiple government agencies and departments to identify and implement the most effective solutions. By bringing together experts from a variety of fields, we were able to leverage their unique perspectives and expertise to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing the infant formula shortage.
Working closely with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was essential to ensuring the safety and quality of the formula being brought in through Operation Fly Formula. The FDA played a critical role in reviewing and approving the formula before it was distributed to families in need, ensuring that it met all necessary safety standards.
As a result of our efforts, we were able to secure increased funding for Operation Fly Formula. This program airlifted formula from other countries to address shortages in the US, and our funding allowed us to increase the number of flights and amount of formula brought in, helping to alleviate the shortage and ensure that infants had access to the nutrition they needed to thrive.
Overall, our team’s efforts to obtain accurate data, understand the human story behind the crisis, and collaborate with the Domestic Policy Council and FDA were crucial in developing effective solutions. I am proud to have led this team and grateful for the opportunity to have made a real difference in the lives of families across the country.