Introduction

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to give an overview of the food security and governance in the Arctic-Barents region. This introductory chapter briefly describes food security, including food as part of the traditional livelihood practices among the people in the northern parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia that make up the Barents region. The production and consumption of traditional foods in the Barents region have always been part of the culture of Barents communities. Such practices encourage communal living through the sharing of foods and helps to strengthen food security in the region. However, this region has been drastically affected by climate change, an increase in human activities—such as mining and oil and gas developments—and globalization. Therefore, food security has become one of the crucial threats facing the region today. Lack of access to nutritious and safe foods that are capable of meeting the dietary needs of the region’s population threatens overall human security. Also, the decrease in access to traditional foods leaves the traditional communities with no option to promote their preferences and to take an active role in their own food systems. The chapter introduces the structure of the book with a view to providing knowledge about food security and governance in the Barents region.