This article summarizes available information on costs of feeding and
food subsidy programmes, comparing unit costs, share of non-food costs
and cost-effectiveness. The effects of programme scale, operating age
ncy (NGO versus government) and geographical location are examined for
feeding programmes, both for unit costs and the non-food cost share.
Two of the very few cost-effectiveness studies of nutrition interventi
ons estimate cost per death averted to be around $1500, higher than so
me basic health interventions. There are, however, methodological prob
lems with using this particular cost-effectiveness measure for nutriti
on interventions.