THE BASIC FOOD BASKET: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE IN THE NORTH (A CASE STUDY OF THE MAGADAN REGION)

The diet is a key determinant of public health and life expectancy, while nutrition standards form the foundation of social policy and national food security. This underscores the need for regular revision of dietary standards, both in light of evolving concepts of healthy eating and in response to the population’s growing demand for more diverse and higher-quality nutrition. This article presents the experience of designing a basic food basket for the key socio-demographic groups in the Magadan Region, adapted to regional specificities and suitable for scaling to other Russian regions. For the first time in the Russian North-East, a scientifically grounded nutrition plan has been designed to account for local socio-cultural and natural conditions. The objective of the study was to design a basic food basket for the Magadan Region, guided by the methodological recommendations of the National Research Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (MR 2.3.1.0253-21), WHO guidelines, observed trends in consumer behavior, and regional characteristics. The assessment of the regional food basket (2013–2022), actual food consumption patterns, and the minimum set of products was conducted using the ASPON-Pitaniye software package (St. Petersburg). Household survey data on consumer expenditures (Rosstat) formed the calculation basis. The results show that the average caloric value of actual diets in the Magadan Region is 15 % lower than the minimum standard established by regional legislation. Significant deficiencies were identified in essential micronutrients critical for survival in the Far North—particularly vitamins β-carotene, B2, B9, D, H, K, and minerals Ca, I, Mg—as well as in polyunsaturated fatty acids. In response, a revised food basket was proposed, eliminating these shortcomings and reflecting regional authorities’ commitment to improving living standards. The findings demonstrate the potential to scale this approach to other regions, thereby helping to reduce healthcare costs in environments characterized by high anthropogenic and natural risks to public health.