Changes in Food Behavior of Russians in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic

The subject of the article is the eating behavior of Russians under conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic. We defined the purpose of the study as to study the changes in the eating behavior of the main socio-demographic groups of Russian society in 2020-2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The material of the study includes the works of foreign and Russian authors in the field of the study of food systems and food behavior of various social of various social groups under conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic. The methods used are divided into two groups: theoretical and empirical. The group of theoretical methods included: systematic approach, analysis of the works of foreign and domestic researchers on changes in world and regional food systems, and in individual food practices in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The empirical method is represented by a series of expert interviews conducted by the authors of the study in August - September 2021. The study showed that changes in the eating behavior of Russians during the Covid-19 pandemic are contradictory and non-linear, they are embedded in the regional food system and have a significant impact on local food markets. The study demonstrates importance of further interdisciplinary study of the food practices, in general, food culture of various social groups in Russian society. Such studies are necessary for the development and smooth functioning regional food systems, for a comprehensive solution to the problems of ensuring of food security under the conditions of economic recession caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.