Baby formula shortages and how Staten Island restaurants are stepping up to help | Pamela’s Food Service Diary

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A restaurant owner’s expertise lies in sourcing food. That matter might be illustrated well with an idea that occurred to Richie Holmes, owner of Juicy Lucy in Ocean Breeze and Eltingville, plus Grant City’s DiFara Pizza-Juicy Lucia.

While in New Jersey on a shopping trip, he stumbled upon a massive supply of baby formula.

“So we decided to donate $2,000 worth of baby formula to Staten Islanders. It would be nice if people could also drop off formula the restaurants for somebody who needs it — obviously sealed, new formula with a proper expiration date,” said Holmes.

He put the word out on Facebook and was floored at the response: rather quickly, he received about 500 inboxed messages pleading for help. What further occurred to him from reading the notes was just how expensive is the product at an average of $40 a container. So not only is he hoping to stock a pantry but also to ease the financial burden a bit for the average family.

BABY BASICS IN ‘THE TWILIGHT ZONE’

A few days into the effort, Holmes called restaurant friends — pals at Joyce’s Tavern in Eltingville and Carmine Gualtieri of The Pizza Parlors, Richmond Republic, Wynwood Cafe and District — and they’re on board with helping in the collection as well.

“We’re in the Twilight Zone now,” Holmes declared on the dearth of the basic baby item. “We’re talking babies here. And we’re not looking to have people hoard pallets of the stuff — just to buy a can or two — in places where they see there’s a vast supply.”

Joe O’Toole of Joyce’s Tavern spoke on behalf of the O’Toole family. He said they’re glad to help Richie with the idea, although admitted to never imagining the likes of Infamil in the offerings among burgers and corned beef platters.

He said, “Richie always turns restaurants into a place where people come to get help. We’re glad to be a part of that. We love the idea of a few local restaurant owners always coming up with solutions and a helping hand.”

The business of feeding is a serious one to those in the industry, a sentiment that often goes beyond business.

“One thing I learned from the pandemic is to truly appreciate your neighborhood, the people that bring life to your business,” said Joanne Meurer of West Cork Union Hall in West Brighton.

“If anyone survived that time it was sheer grit and loyalty — and giving anything back to a community that was hurting so much and so unsure,” she said. The baby formula-sharing is just another practice of love coming from the restaurant community in times of need, Meurer said.

“This is for infants. As long as it takes, I’m going to do it,” said Holmes.

It is suggested to call the restaurant first to ensure the availability of any product needed for pickup. Donations and pickups are available during operational hours at Juicy Lucy in Ocean Breeze at 809 Fr. Capodanno Blvd., 718-979-1888; Juicy Lucy in Eltingville at 4318 Amboy Rd., 718-317-7427; District in Annadale at 2 Sneden Lane, 718-984-3700; The Pizza Parlor North in Meiers Corners at 965 Jewett Ave., 718-448-7700; Joyce’s Tavern in Eltingville at 3823 Richmond Ave., 718-948-0220.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at [email protected].