# Food System Digitalization as a Means to Promote Food and Nutrition Security in the Barents Region
## 1 Introduction
The introduction of sensors that generates data from food system digitalization will help make accurate predictions in the processes within the food value chains of the countries in the Barents region. Access to food and its utilization in different parts of the Barents region are largely influenced by food markets and the choice of food that is available to the inhabitants of this region. Due to the increasing connection in our society, the last few decades have witnessed new imported foods making their way into the Barents region. Some of these new imported foods, such as tortillas, kebabs, pizza, and sushi, are increasingly popular in the region. This has resulted in changes within the food system of the Barents region, with consequential effects on traditional foods that people have relied upon in the past [6]. The popularity of these foods, at the expense of traditional foods has been shown to increase the risks of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes in the Barents region [6; 9]. It will be important to address the challenges faced by small and medium enterprises in the region for them to expand their businesses and create a niche for their high-quality nutritional food products. This can be achieved by encouraging a better means of harvesting berries and herbs, and highlighting the nutritional benefits of these bioactive ingredients through mobile applications that can appeal to potential consumers, especially the younger generation. Food security and human security are prevention oriented; food security helps to develop the overall human well-being, thereby strengthening human security [6]. The concept of human security should endorse a people-centered approach, built on the capacity of individuals, and provide key tools for building resilience around food security and nutrition [10]. Food and nutrition are integral to human security, and the link between diet and health is well established [11; 12]. The food we consume plays an important role in our health and well-being. Food availability, accessibility, utilization and stability within the food system are essential pillars of food security. In the Barents region, ensuring sustainable food and nutrition security will help to build resilience, and promote culture and ecology that will offer greater human and societal security [13]. Healthy living is associated with clean water, food and air, but also includes the safety and security of life for the individuals, groups and communities. Changes that occur in the climate, environment and land use, together with socioeconomic factors, have been reported to impact on food and water security in the Arctic region, including the Barents region [14]. The trends associated with food consumption are constantly evolving with technological inputs. How food processing methods and the traditional culture related to food have changed over the years with technology are important topics for consideration. The issues of food security, climate change, and population growth are major concerns discussed in many international agreements as in [15; 16; 17]. There are only a few studies on food security in the Barents region, and to date, there is no work on food system digitalization in the region. We therefore emphasize the need for small and medium-based enterprises (SMEs) in the food sector to embrace digital solutions in their operations. The purpose of this article is to identify gaps and challenges related to food and nutrition security in the Barents region, improve the sustainability of the food system through digitalization and promote the development of cross-border infrastructures to support digitalization. The authors have drawn largely on their participation in related project workshops and social networking services in this region. This review article addresses the relevance of digitalization as a disruptive innovation within the food system that will help to promote food and nutrition security.