Italian panettone, a light sweet bread traditionally eaten at Christmas, is becoming a symbol of solidarity in its birthplace Milan thanks to the “panettone sospeso” scheme. Based on a Neopolitan convention, customers can pay for and leave a panettone in the city’s bakeries to be donated to those in need over the festive period.  

In Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele, Milan’s chic shopping arcade, a sumptuous sweet scent emanates from celebrity chef Carlo Cracco’s pastry counter in his restaurant. Along with dozens of other pastry shops in the northern Italian city, the panettone breads here are available for donation through the “panettone sospeso” initiative. Now in its third year, the charitable scheme by the eponymous association encourages customers buying panettone to pay for an extra cake for someone in need.