annoyed by formula coupons

[BonnieLynn]

My grocery store keeps giving me formula coupons and it's driving me crazy. I think it might be linked to buying breast milk storage bags because it started after the first time I bought them, which makes me even more mad. Anyways, I was wondering if anybody has suggestions on how to write a letter complaining about this and who to address to etc.
Thanks for your help!

[evermore82]

I was wondering the same thing. I got a formula coupon when I purchased Soothies at Walgreens for a care package. I looked at the coupon, then handed it back to the cashier. She said, "You don't need this?" I said, "Of course not. I support breastfeeding, not formula companies." She just looked confused, but I left it at that.

I wanted to write a letter of complaint and inform them of the benifits of breastfeeding and the negative effect the coupons have on breastfeeding. I couldn't decide to Walgreens, or Similac (sp?--the formula the coupon was for), or write a letter to contribute to the local paper.

[KnitLady]

Just curious how your grocery store knows who you are. I mean, how do they know that you once bought BM storage bags? Do you use some sort of loyalty card?

Sorry I don't have any answers, just a curious question.

[BonnieLynn]

The grocery store is Kroger and they have a "Kroger Plus Card" that gets you discounts. It does track what you buy though because they send you coupons for things you commonly buy in the mail.

[ErikaS57]

I still get formula coupons every time I buy diapers (DD is almost 2). Last time the cashier looked at DD, then at the coupon, then at me with this confused face. She was like "you don't still need this, do you?" and I replied that we hadn't needed it since she was 2 months old and that it was getting kind of annoying getting those coupons every week. She shook her head and asked if I'd like her to hold on to the coupon and offer it to someone that needed it.

[2lilsweetfoxes]

I know the formula coupons are annoying. I have an idea of what to do with them that can help babies, but have no idea how to go about suggesting it being implemented. Military mamas are eligible for deployment at 160-180 days after the birth of their child, depending on branch. There could be a place where the dad or other caretaker can pick up formula coupons to help offset the cost of formula. Requirements: the infant must be enrolled in DEERS (dependent eligibility and enrollment reporting service-which shows the person's eligibility for care in military hospitals); proof of the infant's age--they'd be eligible up until one month after their first birthday unless they have a prescription from the pediatrician to remain on formula; and the mother's deployment orders. Then dad would have to indicate type of formula needed. A pity we could not, but would be great if we could, require that (at least at first pickup), that mama was breastfeeding up until 30 days prior to deployment and weaned only because of the deployment...

As we work towards extending new mamas being exempt for deployment for 365 days after the birth of their child...

[annettemarie]

I've removed the last few posts. Please keep in mind that this is the LACTIVISM forum, and keep the content to ways to promote breastfeeding. If you'd like to discuss couponing in general, and what to do with unwanted formula coupons in particular (within the UA of course) please visit out Frugality forum. Thanks!

From the sticky:

Members who formula feed out of necessity should not take posts critical of formula feeding personally. Members are reminded to post within the parameters of the User Agreement and refrain from personal attacks. If you feel concern about a post or discussion, please contact the moderator of the forum.

[rrs]

Originally Posted by 2lilsweetfoxes

I know the formula coupons are annoying. I have an idea of what to do with them that can help babies, but have no idea how to go about suggesting it being implemented. Military mamas are eligible for deployment at 160-180 days after the birth of their child, depending on branch. There could be a place where the dad or other caretaker can pick up formula coupons to help offset the cost of formula. Requirements: the infant must be enrolled in DEERS (dependent eligibility and enrollment reporting service-which shows the person's eligibility for care in military hospitals); proof of the infant's age--they'd be eligible up until one month after their first birthday unless they have a prescription from the pediatrician to remain on formula; and the mother's deployment orders. Then dad would have to indicate type of formula needed. A pity we could not, but would be great if we could, require that (at least at first pickup), that mama was breastfeeding up until 30 days prior to deployment and weaned only because of the deployment...

As we work towards extending new mamas being exempt for deployment for 365 days after the birth of their child...

This is a GREAT idea.

When my brother was born (in 1988), my mom's UTA was scheduled when he was 5.5 months old. She was breastfeeding. She pumped as much as she could ahead of time, but still did not have nearly the reserves needed for the length of time she was gone. He was supplemented (the only one of us that ever was). The money spent on the formula that she did not want to or would not have needed to give him had she not had to fulfill that duty was certainly missed.

She pumped and dumped the entire time she was gone. After quite a struggle (due to him preferring the bottle), he resumed breastfeeding. He went on to be a CLWing baby, around 2 years old.

My sister is active duty military and newly married. I'm hoping by the time she has a baby, the deployment policies will be changed.

[mommylovesra]

I had this happen recently when I was filling a breastfeeding WIC check at Food Lion I sent them this e-mail:

At my last shopping trip at your store I filled a WIC(Women, Infants, and Children) check that is exclusive for breastfeeding mothers. Your computer generated a $3.00 off coupon with this purchase for infant formula. I do not know if this is a coincidence but it is not ethical in my opinion to promote formula feeding to breastfeeding mothers. Increasing breastfeeding is a National health issue and I would compare the practice of giving a formula coupon with a breastfeeding related purchase to giving a coupon for cigarettes or alchohol with the purchase of teen magazines or acne products. It is not responsible and does not send a good message to the public. If you feel that you must give coupons for infant formula they should only be issued to a customer who is already purchasing it instead of trying to recruit breastfeeding moms to formula feeding. I don't know if you are aware but a lot of hospitals not longer give out free formula samples because they consider it unethical to not promote breastfeeding to new moms. Also in more enlightened countries even advertising infant formula is illegal. I don't mean to make such a big deal but I do feel that breastfeeding should be more of a cultural norm and formula feeding not promoted through your grocery store. Thanks for listening to my viewpoint on this issue and I hope you give it serious consideration.

I did get a reply saying they had forwarded my complaint to the company in charge of issuing the coupons. I don't beleive they have changed anything yet though.

[infraread]

They haven't, I received an Enfamil coupon when I bought breastmilk storage bags a few days ago. I made a point of telling the cashier I didn't want it, but it never occurred to me to write a letter like yours.