Why Sicilian NQ chose to become an Impact Sponsor of the Santuario Sotto la Panca

In the catering sector, talking about sustainability has become increasingly common. However, transforming these values into concrete actions is a much more complex step.

For Sicilian NQ, a Sicilian restaurant located in the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter, supporting the Santuario Sotto la Panca is not just a simple marketing initiative, but a choice consistent with an ethical path that began years ago.

For this reason, Sicilian NQ has decided to become an Impact Sponsor of Santuario Sotto la Panca ODV, concretely contributing to the support of animals rescued from slaughter, abandonment, and exploitation.

A Sicilian restaurant with a different vision

In recent years, Sicilian NQ has progressively transformed its gastronomic offering, developing an identity increasingly oriented towards a predominantly plant-based cuisine.

Today, a large part of the restaurant's menu consists of vegan dishes inspired by Sicilian tradition, reinterpreted in a contemporary key.

This evolution does not stem from a passing fad, but from a broader reflection on the relationship between food, sustainability, the environment, and respect for animals.

Over time, the restaurant has chosen to increasingly reduce the use of animal products, promoting a Mediterranean cuisine that values plant-based ingredients, seasonality, and regional traditions.

From food to social impact

For Sicilian NQ, sustainability is not just about what is served on the plate.

It also means supporting projects capable of generating a real and demonstrable positive impact.

Through the Santuario Sotto la Panca sponsorship program, the restaurant concretely contributes to:

• veterinary care for rescued animals;
• daily feeding;
• fences and shelters;
• management of rescues and emergencies;
• development of shelter infrastructure;
• educational and outreach activities.

Every contribution directly helps the upkeep of the animals housed in the sanctuary.

Dining for a Difference: when catering supports animals

In June 2026, Sicilian NQ also launched the "Dining for a Difference" initiative, a fundraiser active within the restaurant to support the Santuario Sotto la Panca.

The initiative includes a special vegan solidarity menu and a system of voluntary micro-donations for rescued animals.

👉 Read also: "Dining for a Difference: how Sicilian NQ supports Santuario Sotto la Panca"

The initiative was also covered by the online magazine Manchester Confidentials, which dedicated an article to the solidarity project developed by the restaurant.

👉 Find out more here: "Confidentials Manchester talks about Sicilian NQ's support for Santuario Sotto la Panca"

Catering, ESG and social responsibility

More and more companies in the hospitality sector are beginning to question the ethical and environmental impact of their food choices.

In recent years, numerous international scientific and environmental organizations have highlighted how intensive farming is one of the main causes of climate-altering emissions, water consumption, deforestation, and animal suffering.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a transition towards more plant-based food systems is considered one of the most effective strategies to reduce global environmental impact.

Organizations such as Greenpeace and Compassion in World Farming have also been calling for a drastic reduction in industrial farming and meat consumption for years, promoting more sustainable and animal-friendly food models.

For Sicilian NQ, supporting an animal sanctuary is therefore a natural extension of a path already oriented towards more ethical, sustainable, and conscious catering.

Authentic support, not greenwashing

In recent years, the term "greenwashing" has often been used to describe companies that communicate sustainability without generating a concrete impact.

Supporting an independent sanctuary, on the other hand, means directly contributing to a real project, with documented activities and tangible results.

👉 Read also: "Greenwashing vs. real impact: how to distinguish an authentic partnership"

Sicilian NQ's support is not limited to a temporary campaign but reflects a broader vision based on:

• reducing animal impact;
• promoting more sustainable cuisine;
• supporting rescue activities;
• raising awareness about animal welfare.

A message for other businesses in the food sector

Sicilian NQ's choice demonstrates that even a restaurant can concretely contribute to change.

You don't need large multinationals or multi-million dollar campaigns to generate a positive impact.

Even a single local business can:

• support a shelter;
• fund veterinary care;
• raise customer awareness;
• integrate ethical values into its corporate identity.

🔗 Learn more about Sicilian NQ

To learn about the restaurant, its menu, and active solidarity initiatives:

👉 Sicilian NQ Manchester

🤝 Do you want to become an Impact Sponsor?

If your company also wants to support a concrete project dedicated to rescued animals, discover our sponsorship program:

👉 Corporate Sponsorship Program

Because sustainability also means choosing which side to be on.