Food Security

Food security refers to the availability of food and one's access to it. A household is considered food-secure when its occupants do not live in hunger or fear of starvation.

People are considered "food secure" when "all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life" (Definition adopted by the 1996 World Food Summit). 

Food Security is a necessary component to achieve MDG#1; Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger

Food security is built on three pillars:

Food availability: Food must be available in sufficient quantities and on a consistent basis.It considers stock and production in a given area and the capacity to bring in food from elsewhere, through trade or aid.

Food access: People must be able to regularly acquire adequate quantities of food, through purchase, home production, barter, gifts, borrowing or food aid,

Food utilization: Consumed food must have a positive nutritional impact on people. It entails cooking, storage and hygiene practices, individuals health, water and sanitations, feeding and sharing practices within the household.

Food security is a complex sustainable development issue, linked to health through malnutrition, but also to sustainable economic development, environment, and trade. There is a great deal of debate around food security with some arguing that:

• There is enough food in the world to feed everyone adequately; the problem is distribution.
• Future food needs can - or cannot - be met by current levels of production.
• National food security is paramount - or no longer necessary because of global trade.
• Globalization may - or may not - lead to the persistence of food insecurity and poverty in rural communities.

Thanks to these resources for information:

http://www.who.int/trade/glossary/story028/en/ and http://www.wfp.org/food-security