Lone Star Love for Tanzania
In a world of global inequality, one of the most striking contrasts is the cost of meeting a child’s basic needs across countries. Nowhere is this more evident than when comparing the United States and Tanzania. How far does a dollar go when it comes to feeding and caring for a child?
Feeding a Child in the United States
In the U.S., the cost of feeding a child is significantly higher due to food prices, labor, packaging, and infrastructure. Based on USDA data and budget-conscious grocery pricing:
Estimated Monthly Food Cost Per Child (Ages 4–8)
Low-cost plan: ~$160–$180/month
Includes:
3 meals/day with adequate protein, fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy
Occasional snacks
Water is generally low-cost or included in utilities
Other basics (toiletries, hygiene, vitamins): ~$15–$20/month
Total: Around $175–$200 per month per child
Even with food assistance programs like SNAP or school lunches, the cost of child nutrition in the U.S. remains significantly higher.
Feeding a Child in Tanzania
In rural and peri-urban Tanzania, families stretch every shilling. Food is often bought in bulk or grown locally, and diets are simple but nourishing when consistent.
Estimated Monthly Food Cost Per Child
A balanced but basic diet (with local staples) might include:
Ugali (maize meal), beans, rice, vegetables, and occasional meat or eggs
Filtered or bottled water
Small daily snacks or porridge
Item | Daily Cost (TZS) | Monthly Cost (TZS) | USD Equivalent (at 2,600 TZS/USD) |
Maize flour, beans, veg | ~2,000 | ~60,000 | ~$23 |
Cooking oil, salt, milk | ~1,000 | ~30,000 | ~$11.50 |
Water (filtered/bottled) | ~500 | ~15,000 | ~$5.75 |
Hygiene (soap, toothpaste) | ~500 | ~15,000 | ~$5.75 |
Total: | ~120,000 TZS per month/child | ~$46 per month/per child |
With very careful budgeting, a child in Tanzania can be fed and cared for nutritionally for under $50/month—about ¼ the cost in the U.S.
What Can One U.S. Dollar Buy in Tanzania?
Here’s a look at what just $1 (≈2,600 TZS) can buy locally in Tanzania:
Item | Price (TZS) | $1 Buys... |
1 kg of maize flour (ugali) | ~1,600 | 1.5 days' worth of staples |
1 liter of clean bottled water | ~1,000 | 1 day’s drinking water |
4–6 bananas or 2 large mangos | ~2,000 | 2 days of fruit |
3 eggs | ~1,800 | A small protein-rich meal |
Bar of soap | ~2,000 | Hygiene needs for a week |
School porridge/snack (local) | ~300 | 8–10 servings |
In short, $1 feeds a child a staple meal, provides a day of clean water, or ensures hygiene for the week. That same dollar in the U.S. might cover one apple or half a school lunch.
In Tanzania, between $25 and $50 per month can sustainably support the feeding and care of a child. That same amount barely lasts a week in the U.S. Your donations and sponsorships for the children of Tanzania through Lone Star Love for Tanzania can have a lasting impact across their lives physically, mentally, and emotionally.
