Abstract. Introduction. The problem of sustainable food supply is connected with the optimisation of the distribution of food flows and determined by the quantity of food in terms of per capita consumption, energy value and availability of nutrients. The purpose of the article is to develop a logistics model of sustainable food supply in the region and test it on the example of Saratov region of Russia. Methods. In the process of economic-mathematical modelling, the authors used econometric and logistics methods. Results. The article describes the authors' approach to building local food systems. A two-level model of demand for food products was substantiated. The conducted calculations of the indicators of sustainability of the local food systems of Saratov region for the most important types of food products show that three local food systems centred in towns of Kalininsk, Novouzensk and Ershov are fully food self-sufficient. The local food systems of the towns of Volsk, Balashov and Balakovo have difficulties in the matters of self-sufficiency in meat products; and the local food systems of the city of Saratov and the town of Engels have to import meat and milk in order to have quality and sustainable provision of the population with such products. Conclusions. The use of the logistics approach allows us to develop a universal algorithm for the assessment of the overall sustainability of food supply of the region, consider the impact of transportation costs on food consumption by the population, substantiate the rational logistics and delivery routes of agricultural production for its further processing, which will increase the overall sustainability of food supply in a particular region.

The aim of this article is the improvement of the theoretical bases and the development of a scientifically grounded approach balancing the food supply from the economic and the practical application for a complex social and economic assessment of development of the food sphere as a whole. Design/Methodology/Approach: In the process of research the authors' approach was used to consider the balance of food supply from the position of three structural and consistently interrelated elements-phenomena, process and state. The authors' interpretation of each element is given, the method of their evaluation is developed, based on the structural division of indicators into balanced ones, exceeding the level of balance and being below the specified level. These indicators are differentiated into 7 functional groups (from the minimum to the maximum degree of balance). Findings: The result is a comparative assessment of the level of balance of food supply in the UK, France, Czech Republic, Latvia and Russia and the definition on its basis of priority directions of development of agriculture in each of the allocated states. Practical Implications: The results of the work can be used by governing bodies to make specific practical decisions in the food sector, and to adjust the directions of its development. Originality/Value: Materials of the article are original and have not been previously published. The calculations were based on official data from the European Statistical Agency, Eurostat and the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia, which indicates the reliability of the presented scientific materials.

СУХАНОВАРассмотрены научные подходы к достижению сбалансированности системы продовольс-твенного обеспечения, выделены критерии, оказывающие на нее наибольшее влияние, на осно-вании учета дифференциации российских регионов на «доноров» и «реципиентов» предложен механизм достижения сбалансированности продовольственного обеспечения. Обоснованы принципы достижения сбалансированности, среди которых выделены принципы целостности, устойчивости, совместимости, рациональности и эффективности. Дана их характеристика, определены средства их достижения и механизм обеспечения, на основании чего сформирова-на соответствующая структурно-логическая схема и сформулировано авторское определение категории сбалансированность системы продовольственного обеспечения.

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Subject. The article reviews the mechanism for harmonizing the economic and social interests of various entities of the food market in the organization of food supply to the population. Objectives. The aim is to improve the theoretical framework and develop a scientifically sound approach to assessing the balance of food supply to the population. Methods. The study employs a unique approach to examining the balance of food supply from the perspective of three structural and consistently interconnected elements, i.e. a phenomenon, a process and a condition. It provides an interpretation of each element, methods of evaluation, based on structural division of indicators into the balanced, exceeding the balance, and below the specified level. These indicators are differentiated into seven functional groups (from minimal to maximum balance). Results. The paper gives a comparative assessment of the level of balance of food supply in the UK, France, Czech Republic, Latvia, and Russia, and the definition of priority areas for the agricultural sector development in these countries. Conclusions. The proposed approach enables not only a refreshing perspective on the problem of achieving a balanced food supply, but it can also form a basis of the organizational and economic mechanism of changes in this area, as takes into account the impact on food supply of not only economic, but also social factors that consider the specifics of a particular State. The findings of the study can be used by agribusiness authorities to make practical decisions in the food sector and to adjust directions of its development.