Students’ research. Food Security: Situation Analysis in Lithuania

Project idea

According to the United Nations Committee on World Food Security, food security is defined as meaning that all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life. According to the World Bank, food security becomes more urgent when food availability, economic access to food, the quality of the food consumed, or the stability of the food supply decreases due to factors such as adverse weather conditions, political instability or economic factors (e.g., unemployment, rising food prices). Nowadays, food security in Lithuania is becoming an increasingly important issue due to the growing instability caused by the war in Ukraine, social inequality and inflation, as well as rising food product prices. This research will include a review of the literature on food security in order to understand the challenges of food security in the Lithuanian context. In addition, empirical data on the Lithuanian case will be collected by conducting at least five interviews with professionals working on food security or related issues. Potential research participants would include academics and representatives from the charity and support fund "Maisto bankas" (en. Lithuanian Food Bank), Caritas Lithuania, Lithuanian Red Cross Society and municipal social support departments. Upon completion of the project, the data collected will be used to formulate the research question for a master’s thesis.