Abstract: Reconstituted pimiento material in ribbon form suitable for supplying to an automatic machine which pits olives, severs the ribbon into successive segments, folds each segment and stuffs the folded segment into the cavity of a pitted olive, such pimiento material comprising macerated pimiento flesh, an alginate (preferably predominating in mannuronic acid) and a starch and/or a gum (preferably both starch and a gum) and having a pH less than about 4.5, preferably not greater than about 4.0. The ribbon resulting from gelling and curing this material is dimensionally stable, has a good mouth feel, has a strength sufficient to allow storage, handling and folding 180.degree. and has a resilient quality which ensures secure retention in the cavities of stuffed olives.