Italian Baker Makes 'Peace Bread' In Colors Of Ukrainian Flag For Refugees

An Italian bakery is helping Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion by selling loaves of “peace bread.”

The small bakery in Parabiago called La Panetteria is churning out loaves of bread that exhibit the two colors of the Ukrainian flag, blue and yellow. Baker Matteo Cunsolo is the mastermind behind the “peace bread” and proceeds from its sales will go to a charitable fund helping Ukrainians that cross Italy or choose to stay behind in the country, according to ABC News.

Cunsolo recalled seeing a TV report about Ukrainians at the Polish border being welcomed with a warm drink and a piece of bread after their challenging journey. That’s when he got the idea of helping refugees by making the “peace bread.”

“When I heard the word bread I thought – ‘OK I am a baker, what can I do to help?’” Cunsolo told AP News.

The baker is currently making about 44 pounds (22 kilograms) of “peace bread” per day and has reportedly raised around $2,214 (2,000 euros) for the local Lion’s Club charity drive helping refugees.

Cunsolo also shared another way he found to help Ukrainians. He prepared around 1,325 pounds (600 kilograms) of cookies that will be handed out to tired and weary refugees arriving at the Polish border. The baker said he plans on delivering the sweet treats to the Ukrainian-Polish border this week. A truck full of locally donated diapers, food, medicine and clothes will also be sent with the cookies.

“After running away from the bombs, perhaps traveling across forests by night in the cold, I think a cookie is like a little cuddle that can help bring a smile on a child’s face,” Cunsolo told the outlet.

“I believe in trying to help others in any way you can,” Cunsolo added.

As he explained the process of making the "peace bread," he said he uses natural coloring to get the colors of the Ukrainian flag to shine with each loaf. He noted that he uses saffron to get a yellow-colored dough and infuses leaves of the blue butterfly pea flower, or clitoria ternatea, for the blue color.

After the loaf is out of the oven, Cunsolo said he uses a “PEACE” stencil to spray the strong message onto the bread.

Maria Pascolin, a customer at the bakery, told AP News about the initiative, “It’s a really important initiative. It’s a drop in the ocean, but if we all gave a contribution, it would help.”