• Meds and Food for Kids
• 4488 Forest Park Ave., Suite 230
• St. Louis, MO 63108
• Phone: 314-726-0168
• Fax: 314-534-2803
• E-mail: info@mfkhaiti.org
• Web: http://mfkhaiti.org

Millions of children die or are permanently affected by malnutrition, and one very cost-effective remedy is Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF--also called Plumpy'nut). It is based on the peanut butter often produced in developing countries and includes several nutritional additives. RUTF can be used at home and does not need cooking or refrigeration. It was developed by Dr. Andre Briend, a French food scientist, and introduced in several African countries during the past decade. Dr. Pat Wolff, a pediatrician, helped bring the concept to Haiti where is is called medika mamba. The website includes research data, and you can learn more by doing a Google search. RUTF probably could be adapted for use in many other places.

Also see what The Full Belly Project (in Wilmington, NC) is doing to help overseas impoverished peanut farmers shell their products--even using bicycle-type power. They also have several other kinds of very useful low-tech products. Their website is: www.thefullbellyproject.org.