From Food Ethics to Food Citizenship – Reframing Food Security for Sustainable Food Systems in Central and Eastern Europe

Introduction

Food security is traditionally assessed through four dimensions: availability, access, utilization, and stability. However, persistent food insecurity despite improvements in food supply raises questions about whether food availability alone is sufficient to ensure sustainable food systems. This study examines the relationship between food availability and food insecurity in Romania and neighboring countries and discusses the implications for food ethics and food citizenship.

Methods

A comparative analysis was conducted using data from the FAO Suite of Food Security Indicators for Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. Indicators related to food availability, including dietary energy supply adequacy and average protein supply, were analyzed alongside food insecurity indicators, such as prevalence of undernourishment and moderate or severe food insecurity. Descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and correlation analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between food availability and food security outcomes.

Results and Discussion

Most analyzed countries recorded relatively high levels of dietary energy and protein availability. Nevertheless, important differences persist in food insecurity indicators, with some countries experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity despite adequate food supply. These findings suggest that increased food availability does not automatically ensure equitable access to food or improved food security outcomes. The observed disparities highlight the influence of social, behavioral, and institutional factors on food system performance.

Conclusions

Food security should be understood as more than a question of food supply. While availability remains essential, sustainable food systems also require responsible consumption, social responsibility, and civic engagement. In this context, food citizenship may represent a pathway for translating food ethics into practical actions that support more equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems. The proposed approach may be replicated in other geographical regions facing similar food security challenges.