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Culture and food security

Author

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  • Elena Briones Alonso
  • Lara Cockx
  • Jo Swinnen

Abstract

This paper reviews available cross-disciplinary evidence on how culture affects food security. We discuss the impact of culture on all four dimensions (availability, access and choice, utilization, and stability). Although there is large heterogeneity in the size and breadth of available evidence, with research often biased toward high-come countries, it is clear that how and why we obtain, process, prepare, and eat food is influenced by culture in various ways. In addition, gender, family, and decision-making power play a critical role in the impact of culture. The dynamics of culture as well as the magnitude and relative importance of cultural effects in the context of food security are still poorly understood. Nevertheless, there remains ample scope for improving food security policy by taking culture better into account.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Briones Alonso & Lara Cockx & Jo Swinnen, 2017. "Culture and food security," Working Papers of LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance 591898, KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance.
    • Handle: RePEc:ete:licosp:591898
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhanar Ordabekovna Tokhayeva & Botagoz Zhenisovna Almukhambetova & Bektur Keneshbayev & Kamshat Akhmetova, 2020. "Innovative processes' management in agriculture and food security: development opportunities," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 7(3), pages 1565-1579, March.
    3. Oscar Ingasia Ayuya & Katrine Soma & Benson Obwanga, 2021. "Socio-Economic Drivers of Fish Species Consumption Preferences in Kenya’s Urban Informal Food System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Soo Jin Park & Heather Yeatman & Joanna Russell & Catherine MacPhail, 2022. "Barriers to Urban Food Action: Relevance of Food Pedagogies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-17, January.
    5. Magdalena Bobe & Roxana Procopie & Mihaela Bucur, 2019. "Exploring the Role of Individual Food Security in the Assessment of Population’s Food Safety," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 21(51), pages 347-347.
    6. Li Gao & Yingdan Mei & Xiaohan Yang & Congyu Zhao & Daimeng Li, 2021. "Vanity and food waste: Empirical evidence from China," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(4), pages 1211-1225, December.
    7. repec:aud:audfin:v:21:y:2019:i:51:p:347 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Ameye, H., 2018. "Secondary Towns The Nutritional Sweet Spot. A study of East Africa," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277211, International Association of Agricultural Economists.

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