At full coverage the benefits realistically reach €45 to €55 million per year against about €8.5 million in costs. The MKBA by New Economy shows that scaling the network up keeps it strongly cost-effective. The ratio holds even when the whole minimum-income group is reached. Without a calculation, the social value of informal food initiatives stays invisible, while the cost of inaction keeps rising.
A social cost-benefit analysis values the network’s benefits against public spending and avoidable social costs. This is relevant for municipalities, city districts and organisations working on food security, poverty and public health.