Food security is defined as the state when all people, at all times, have reliable physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. It encompasses four main dimensions:
- Food availability: The supply side, including food production, stocks, and trade.
- Food access: The ability of individuals or households to obtain adequate food, influenced by income, prices, and markets.
- Food utilization: How well the body uses the nutrients from food, affected by diet diversity, care practices, and health.
- Stability: Consistent access and availability of food over time, without risk from shocks like weather, conflict, or price fluctuations.
Food security also involves nutrition security, which is broader and considers adequate intake of protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals for all household members continuously. Chronic food insecurity refers to a long-term lack of access to adequate food, while transitory food insecurity is temporary and often caused by shocks or crises. Food insecurity is a critical global challenge, with millions facing acute food shortages and hunger, and it is a key target of the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).
