> olives for the poor which clearly do not need preparation

Olives cannot be eaten raw.

Most olive varieties are extremely bitter and need to be cured before they're considered edible. However, the bitterness is attributed to oleuropein, which people take in high doses without harm as olive leaf extract, so it seems likely that raw olives are not dangerous. And if you're willing to eat raw olives that's good evidence that you really are starving.