The evolution of food security from availability to agency: a conceptual analysis of definitional transformations (1974–2024)

Food security has evolved from a narrow focus on agricultural production to a multidimensional concept spanning availability, access, utilization, stability, agency, and sustainability. This article traces the conceptual evolution of food security definitions from 1974 to 2024, examining how international organizations, scholars, and policymakers have progressively broadened and refined the term. Using qualitative content analysis and an integrated theoretical framework combining historical institutionalism, social constructivism, and the capability approach. We examine milestone definitions marking key turning points, from the World Food Conference’s supply-side emphasis to the 2024 inclusion of agency and sustainability. We argue that this trajectory reflects less convergence toward a single universal definition. Instead, it shows the emergence of food security as a flexible, context-dependent umbrella concept. This concept can accommodate varying economic conditions, cultural food preferences, and context-specific risks. Definitional changes reflect broader paradigm shifts in development thinking, from technocratic solutions toward rights-based, people-centered approaches. The study identifies persistent gaps in operationalizing multidimensional definitions. These findings carry implications for policy design, measurement frameworks, and international development strategy, underscoring that effective interventions must address structural inequalities while respecting human agency and environmental sustainability.