ONTOLOGICAL RESEARCH OF FOOD SECURITY ESSENCE

Abstract

The strategic course of Ukraine to build a democratic and constitutional state with a developed economy provides priority in achieving social goals, focus on the needs and values of its citizens. In the hierarchy of human needs, the need for food refers to the priority that requires increased attention of the state in ensuring the availability of food for all groups of the population and guarantee of food security. Research of the food security’s essence evolution is carried out, historical periodization is made and main formative stages are identified. The features of food security are found out on every stage and also the ways of her achievement are distinguished. World conceptions of food security providing are analysed. Interpretations of food security in the international and domestic legislation and scientific works are generalized. Socio-economic essence of food security is proved. Based on the constitutional definition Ukraine as a social state whose policy is aimed at creating conditions to ensure a decent standard of life the main purpose of public regulation is primarily the protection of citizen’s right to good nutrition. Ensuring the protection of this right, the state must find means to eliminate food dependence on foreign countries and to reduce food imports. The state aims to establish social order, to create a fair policy of food security, to help with raising the level of calorie daily diet of the population, eliminating imbalance in food intake between social groups, increasing the purchasing power of the poor and socially disadvantaged groups, including those with fixed incomes (pensioners, students), who depend on the public social security.