FOOD SECURITY OF SMALL TOWNS
Food security is an important element of economic security, affecting the quality of life of population of regions. The current stage of economic development is characterized by the global nature of the crisis, the duration of its impact on all spheres of the functioning of society and production. In this regard, the food industry and related industries are the backbone of small towns, as represented in all territories - from developed to depressive ones Therefore, food security is a complex category, influencing the development of social and economic space of the regions of Russia. The low quality of life in small towns is observed despite their potential for the development of the food industry and production of high-quality foodstuffs due to favorable environmental conditions and current specialization. The problem therefore lies in the inefficient use of the available potential of small towns for the purpose of enhancing food security in regional centers and addressing their own challenges related to employment and a low level of infrastructure development. The purpose of this article is to analyze the food security of small towns based on their potential, the challenges and directions of its strengthening. Methods of research used are the dialectical method of cognition of economic and social processes, the method of system analysis; sociological method. Based on deep analysis of empirical data elements of food security were investigated using the case of small towns in the Tula and Vladimir regions, Perm Territory: supply of raw materials, production at farms of all types, specialty food industry, indicators of income and expenditure, consumption structure of food and its dynamics. The main findings: more diversified production stimulates the self- sufficiency of small towns in different types of products. In small towns situated in the selected regions, bread making is more developed that the production of dairy and meat products. The distinctive features and problems in the regional consumption structure were revealed. There are some differences in the affordability of food and social standards of living in all regions.