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Monroe County Board accepts donated prenatal vitamins, asks staff to confirm quantities
Summary
The board voted to accept an offered supply of prenatal vitamins that expire in September and authorized distribution through the health department or current community partner Tandem, while asking staff to confirm how many bottles will be provided and how longer-term supply will be met.
The Monroe County Board of Health unanimously approved accepting a donation of prenatal vitamins at its May 21 meeting but asked staff to confirm the donation's quantity and short shelf life before final distribution.
Staff reported the offered product contains 400 micrograms of folic acid and comes in 90-tablet bottles (about a three-month supply). The supplier said the stock expires in September; board members said that short shelf life and the limited number of bottles available mean the gift should be accepted only as a stopgap while the department explores more sustainable supply or purchases.
Questions from the board covered whether the donated bottles would be distributed directly from the health department or routed through Tandem, a local partner that has previously received vitamins from the department. Board members also discussed the number of bottles the department has received from Vitamin Angels (staff said roughly 150 bottles) and whether the county budget could cover purchasing more if necessary. One board member noted retail prices of roughly $30–$32 per bottle and estimated that purchasing 150 bottles could cost roughly $4,500.
After public-comment opportunity (none offered), a member moved to accept the donated "perinatal core" vitamins and to distribute them through the health department or Tandem as appropriate; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff was assigned to report back with the exact bottle count and a distribution plan.
The acceptance is conditional on staff confirmation of counts and distribution arrangements; the board did not appropriate county funds for a larger purchase during the meeting.
