Possible Impact of Migration on Food Habits and New Agricultural Opportunities of Host Places: The Case of Ukrainian Immigrants in Italy

During the last years, the immigration of Ukrainians to Italy attained very high levels. The social structure and cultural level of the Ukrainian communities in Italy is not well defined. Italians are not still aware of their typical food habits. A preliminary comparison of fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes and processed products used for food and medicinal purposes sold in markets and groceries in Ukrainian cities to the products imported to Italy revealed a unavoidable loss of variability in the offer of Ukrainian foods. A survey, based on a structured questionnaire has been submitted to representative samples of immigrants in order to have information on their dietary changes and on their desire of food tradition preservation. A parallel questionnaire submitted to the Italians was aimed at exploring their willingness of opening to traditional Ukrainian food consumption