NPR examines local production of childhood malnutrition treatment in Haiti

NPR's "The Salt" blog examines how some humanitarian organizations are looking to purchase the ingredients for and manufacture a peanut-based nutritional supplement in the countries where it is used. "They see local production as a way to provide jobs and bring money into impoverished communities. But paying the bill is still a struggle. Even in poor countries, local food often turns out to be more expensive food," the blog writes. "The Salt" looks at the case of a small organization in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, that has built factories that "emplo[y] Haitian workers and bu[y] peanuts from Haitian farmers." However, the cost of the final product can be up to 20 percent more expensive than if it were made with peanuts imported from Argentina, the blog notes, adding, "For now, at least, UNICEF has agreed to buy local, even if it costs a little more" (Charles, 10/4).