The key to weaning a child?

A spoonful of extra-virgin olive oil, straight from the bottle

by Cristina Santagata CEO of Santagata 1907 Spa, Genoa

Saying that extra-virgin olive oil has held pride of place on our tables since 1907 would be somewhat self-referential, so I will instead focus on the future, and talk about weaning Luce, my baby daughter, onto solid foods. I took advantage of the opportunity provided by issue 15 of OOF International Magazine, dedicated to children, to talk to the nanny who looks after my little girl. Having cared for 44 children, I consider her an extremely reliable authority when it comes to childcare. When asked what the key to weaning a child was, Nanny Alida immediately replied: “a spoonful of extra-virgin olive oil, straight from the bottle!” And this leads me to my first consideration: today more than ever, every parent recognizes the importance of healthy eating for their growing children. Consumers in 2023 are certainly more aware than those in even the recent past. We are all in search of authenticity, as short supply chains, traceability and sustainability have become the leitmotifs of mindful spending. However, I wonder how all this can be reconciled with the “I only buy what’s on special offer” attitude, which informs the majority of purchases from the shelves of large-scale retailers.More careful reflection on the central role of this product, also and above all starting with the nutrition of our children, could turn out to be a crucial factor in consumers’ purchasing decisions. And it also provides food for thought for professionals in the sector.