Baker Matteo Cunsolo slices a loaf of 'bread for peace' in his laboratory in Parabiago near Milan in northern Italy, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Cunsolo used saffron and the infusion of a Thai plant to make a bicolor loaf of bread with the colors of the Ukraine national flag and butter-sprayed the word 'peace' on its sides in solidarity with the war-battered country. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
PARABIAGO, Italy (AP) - A small bakery in northern Italy is trying to do its part to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.
Baker Matteo Cunsolo is making and selling 'œpeace bread'ť in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag, with proceeds going to a charitable fund helping refugees who cross into Italy or who are remaining in Ukraine.
In addition, Cunsolo and area bakers have made 600 kilograms (1,325 pounds) of cookies to give out to young refugees. He plans to bring the sweets, along with a truck full of locally donated diapers, food, medicine and clothes, to the Ukrainian-Polish border next week.
'œAfter running away from the bombs, perhaps travelling 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,'ť he said, standing in front of his industrial-sized oven at La Panetteria in Parabiago, near Milan.
Cunsolo said he got the idea to bake after watching a TV report about the reception Ukrainians were receiving at the Polish border: They were given something warm to drink and a piece of bread.
'œWhen I heard the word bread I thought '“ '~OK I am a baker, what can I do to help?''ť
He uses natural food coloring to make the bread: saffron to color the dough yellow, and an infusion made from the leaves of the blue butterfly pea flower, or clitoria ternatea, to get the blue. Once baked, he uses a butter-based spray and a 'œPEACE'ť stencil to decorate each loaf.
'œIt's a really important initiative,'ť said customer Maria Pascolin as she shopped at the bakery. 'œIt's a drop in the ocean, but if we all gave a contribution, it would help.'ť
Cunsolo is making about 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of 'œpeace bread'ť per day, and so far has raised more than 2,000 euros ($2,214) for the local Lion's Club charity drive.
'œI believe in trying to help others in any way you can,'ť he said.
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Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed.
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Follow all AP stories about the Russian invasion of Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
Baker Matteo Cunsolo shows the 'bread for peace' in his laboratory in Parabiago near Milan in northern Italy, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Cunsolo used saffron and the infusion of a Thai plant to make a bicolor loaf of bread with the colors of the Ukraine national flag and butter-sprayed the word 'peace' on its sides in solidarity with the war-battered country. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
A shop attendant sells the 'bread for peace' made by baker Matteo Cunsolo in Parabiago near Milan in northern Italy, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Cunsolo used saffron and the infusion of a Thai plant to make a bicolor loaf of bread with the colors of the Ukraine national flag and butter-sprayed the word 'peace' on its sides in solidarity with the war-battered country. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Baker Matteo Cunsolo prepares the 'bread for peace' in his laboratory in Parabiago near Milan in northern Italy, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Cunsolo used saffron and the infusion of a Thai plant to make a bicolor loaf of bread with the colors of the Ukraine national flag and butter-sprayed the word 'peace' on its sides in solidarity with the war-battered country. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Baker Matteo Cunsolo prepares the 'bread for peace' in his laboratory in Parabiago near Milan in northern Italy, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Cunsolo used saffron and the infusion of a Thai plant to make a bicolor loaf of bread with the colors of the Ukraine national flag and butter-sprayed the word 'peace' on its sides in solidarity with the war-battered country. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Baker Matteo Cunsolo prepares the 'bread for peace' in his laboratory in Parabiago near Milan in northern Italy, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Cunsolo used saffron and the infusion of a Thai plant to make a bicolor loaf of bread with the colors of the Ukraine national flag and butter-sprayed the word 'peace' on its sides in solidarity with the war-battered country. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Baker Matteo Cunsolo shows part of the relief goods he helped collect and kept in his garage in Parabiago near Milan in northern Italy, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Cunsolo, who plans to travel to the Ukraine border to deliver dry food and other goods to refugees, used saffron and the infusion of a Thai plant to make a bicolor loaf of bread with the colors of the Ukraine national flag and butter-sprayed the word 'peace' on its sides in solidarity with the war-battered country. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press
Baker Matteo Cunsolo prepares the 'bread for peace' in his laboratory in Parabiago near Milan in northern Italy, Thursday, March 17, 2022. Cunsolo used saffron and the infusion of a Thai plant to make a bicolor loaf of bread with the colors of the Ukraine national flag and butter-sprayed the word 'peace' on its sides in solidarity with the war-battered country. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
The Associated Press