Food Security and Ethical & Sustainability Considerations

Food security is a complex, sustainable development issue, linked to health through malnutrition, but also to sustainable development, environment and trade.

Food security is a complex problem given the interconnections in a global food system that is dependent on soil, precipitation and water availability, climate and a host of services the earth provides and, at the same time, influenced by trade, urbanisation, changing demographics and energy, water and land use policy.

This week we have explored the term food security and the ethical and sustainable considerations. In summary there are three pillars of food security:

• Food Availability: The supply of food through, production, distribution and exchange. Sufficient quantities of food available on a consistent basis.

• Food Access: Having sufficient resources to obtain appropriate foods for a nutritious diet. Food access refers to the affordability and allocation of food, as well as the preferences of individuals and households.

• Food Use: Appropriate use based on knowledge of basic nutrition and care, as well as adequate water and sanitation. Food must be safe and meet the physiological requirements of individuals.

What we would like you to do

Please take a moment to reflect on Food Security and the Ethical and Sustainability considerations related to food.

• Do you think there is enough food in the world to feed everyone adequately?
• Do you think future needs can be met by current levels of production?
• What are the main challenges in relation to food security?