"We had to learn a new way of managing the company, moving away from old habits and finding quicker solutions to dealing with work. That was one of the lessons of the pandemic," said Katia Di Vito, owner and marketing manageress of the company that produces vegetable preserves in extra virgin olive oil, commenting on the transformations that emerged from the health emergency.
"We've boosted online sales, which used to be merely a showcase for displaying our products, and which instead has led to an increase in sales because of lockdown and restrictions. In addition, we have had time to reflect on how important it is for a company like ours - which is a pioneer in the organic sector - to focus even more on the importance of health, product origin and service.
In the photo Katia Di Vito
Di Vito Food, now in its third generation of agricultural entrepreneurs, was founded in 1926 by Giuseppe and Maria Di Vito. In 1980, the processing lines for the production of olive oil were expanded and renewed, and a new venture began with the conversion of the land to organic production. The real turning point occurred in 2015, with the third generational change, when Katia Di Vito and Vincenzo Perrotta set up the company Di Vito Food Srl. This marked the beginning of the adventure of transforming typical Abruzzo products into vegetable preserves in extra virgin olive oil.
We have a wide range of processed products including an artisanal mixed picked vegetables (carrot, green bean, cauliflower, courgette and pepper); a line of ready-to-use sauces in various flavors such as basil, ortolana and arrabbiata, cherry tomato puree and Abruzzo artichoke, typical of the area near Vasto (CH). Our artichokes are medium-small, and are also sought after by consumers in the fresh markets. They are harvested within a month, from May until the first half of June. In 2021 we had a good production, because we had no frost and the weather was favorable. We only use 35 per cent of the entire artichoke in the processed products, and we only use the heart of the artichoke after removing the leaves,” explained Katia Di Vito.
The flagship product is the Abruzzo artichoke, also known as mazzaferrata for its shape which resembles an ancient medieval weapon. It is a late-cycle variety of Romanesco artichoke and differs from the classic Romanesco in shape, which is more elongated. It has no thorns and is green with more or less intense shades of violet. The texture is tender and fleshy and the strong taste leaves a full-bodied, strong flavor, with a sweetish aftertaste. In addition to the main head, the plants produce smaller artichokes at the end of their vegetative cycle, which are generally used for the preparation of preserves in extra virgin olive oil.
"Our crops come from farms near the farm, which supply their harvests, including organic cherry tomatoes, a product that has just been launched on the market and is gaining the appreciation of consumers. This is a natural product, made with only three ingredients: tomato, oil and salt,” continued Katia Di Vito.
The local tomato sauce is available in a 700-gram package, the cherry tomato sauce in a 300-gram package and the ready-made sauces in a 350-gram package. The processing techniques for the artichoke and the giardiniera - whose raw material is peeled and cut by hand - are the same, which means that the vegetables are processed raw as soon as they arrive at the farm in order to maintain their initial crunchiness and are then jarred with farm-produced olive oil.
“The market for processed vegetable preserves is showing a growing trend, alongside the ability to grasp the change in consumption habits and lifestyles of consumers who are increasingly aware of the connection between food and health. In this regard, we have created a sauce with only three ingredients and therefore with a short label that is proving to be a great success, because it is extremely clarifying for the consumer, who is provided with information on the origin of the product, its typicality and also the local history," concluded Katia Di Vito.
The sales channels are the specialized and gourmet shops and small supermarket chains. Di Vito Food srl exports to Germany, France, England, Russia, USA and Norway.
For more information: 
Di Vito Food Srl
Katia Di Vito
S.S. 16 Nord Km. 509
Z.I. Punta Penna
66054 VASTO (CH)
+39 0873 314413
+39 371 3379519
divitofood.com
www.divitofood.com
