The article is devoted to the analysis of the current historiographical situation in the context of studying the state food policy of the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th century. The main directions of studying the problem of food security, hunger, as well as the participation of state authorities and local self-government in the implementation of measures to prevent a food crisis in the Russian post-reform village, which have become widespread in the national historiographic tradition, are investigated. The conclusion is made about the fragmentary nature of the study of the designated problem and the absence of special scientific research devoted to the subject under study.