Since its inception in 2006, the Banda Biscotti community project has come a long way. What started as a small bakery operation inside a cell at the Verbania prison has now transformed into a full-fledged enterprise, Il Sogno Cooperativa Sociale Onlus, a non-profit coop whose name means ‘The Dream’. The main production site, which has been located outside the prison walls since 2012, now spans 300 square meters, where more than 200 kilograms of cookies are produced per shift. The project is based on providing skilled employment opportunities to individuals serving penal sentences, offering them a chance to build a new future through the acquisition of real professional skills.
The project is based in the Lake Maggiore area, the same region that hosts the tourism offerings of Terre Borromeo, which has taken the opportunity to feature some of Banda Biscotti’s specialties in its online shop.
Cookies, Baci di Dama, and Stelle all’Arancia: among the numerous product lines of Banda Biscotti, this is the selection we’ve chosen to make available on our e-commerce platform. The classic Cookies are made with a fragrant, buttery shortcrust studded with lots of chocolate chips. The Baci di Dama, a staple of Italian pastry, is the signature product of Banda Biscotti, combining traditional ingredients – almond flour, butter, and cane sugar – with unique variations for a delicious and distinctive flavor. Last but not least, the Stelle all’Arancia, meaning ‘Orange Stars’, are much more than a simple orange-infused shortcrust; they are a true symbol of the journey toward redemption for the inmates who work in the Banda Biscotti kitchens every day.
The location outside the prison walls in a "hybrid" structure managed by the Ministry of Justice offers undeniable advantages from various perspectives, such as the quality and accessibility of the spaces and the greater efficiency in loading and unloading goods. But the implications go even deeper. Alice Brignone, coordinator of the Banda Biscotti project, explains: “Allowing the participants to work in the external site gives them the opportunity to focus more on their work routine and lays the groundwork for effective social reintegration. This is possible only after they have undergone a specific process. All the inmates working at the Banda Biscotti production site are fully employed, with the option to serve their sentence in an alternative way to spend their days in a healthier setting. They also receive continued support, ensuring they’re not left to fend for themselves on the outside once their sentence is completed”.
There is also the important issue of rehabilitation, enshrined in Article 27 of the Italian Constitution as the ultimate goal of incarceration. “The Banda Biscotti project provides work opportunities that help individuals redefine their personal identity and build relationships based on collaboration with colleagues. In essence, it reintroduces people to the kinds of social interactions that are the basis of a normal life”, concludes Alice Brignone.
The non-profit cooperative Il Sogno is also involved in other initiatives around Lake Maggiore, all centered on inclusive activities and support programs to assist those in vulnerable situations. In Verbania, Casa Ceretti is a neighborhood café designed to provide a welcoming haven for these individuals, and the community restaurant Gattabuia employs several inmates who work alongside the restaurant staff. And of course, Banda Biscotti supplies fresh pastry products to both establishments.