Hertford & District Foodbank Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31st March 2026 Charity Number 1157028
Hertford & District Foodbank Trustees Report Year Ended 31st March 2026 Trustees Trustees ser¥ing throughout the perfod and slnce the year end are: Trustees Reverend Davld Ronco (Chair) Mrs Janet Linda Bird Mrs Cheryl Noreen Jackson Mrs Frances Jean Spence (resigned 12 January 2026) Mr David Alan Timson Mrs Heather Dawn Hookway (resigned 12 January 2026) Professor Jeremy Forrester Mr Ian Hamilton (appolnted 12 January 2026) Ms Jacqueline Turner (appointed 12 January 2026) We would like to acknowledge with our grateful thanks, the long service given to the charlty by Fran Spence, who was one of the orlglnal founders of the Foodbank, retiring after 12 years as a trustee. Structure, Governance and Management Hertford & District Foodbank Is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation ("CIO-) and became a registered charity (number 1157028) on 13th May 2014. The powers of appointment or removal of Trustees rest with the CIO. New Trustees are appointed for 3 years (renewable) and are primarily selected from the members of local churches. On being appointed, new Trustees spend time with the existing Trustees to ensure they understand the responsibilitSes and the legal and financial framework in which the Foodbank operates. Hertford & District Foodbank is a member of the Trussell Trust Foodbank Network which works in partnership with local churches and organisatlons to bring foodbanks to cornmunities across the UK.
Objectives and Activities The Foodbank's objettive is to dlstrlbute food and consumables to people from Hertford, Ware and the surrounding district in short term financial need. Food Is donated Most of the food given out by the foodbank is donated. Often this is from schools, churches, buslnesses, individuals, or through supermarket collections. Supermarket collections help foodbanks engage the public. Fresh food has also been distrlbuted, which is purchased weekly. Food Is •orted •nd stored Volunteers welgh and sort the donated food according to type and 'best before date.. They also check it is undamaged and suitable for use before packing It into boxes for storage. Frontline profe•8lonals Identlfy people In need Professionals from statutory and voluntary organisations such as doctors, health visltors, social workers, Citizens Advlce Bureau staff, welfare offlcers, the police and probation officers, identify people in crisis and issue them wlth a foodbank voucher. Cllents recelve •m•ryency f¢*od Clients. requlrements are covered by vouchers which are issued by agencies electronically. These allow for three days, supply of emergency food to be dlstributed. The list of foods in each parcel has been designed by dieticians to provide recipients with nutritionally balanced food. Cllents are signposted to further support Foodbank volunteers signpost clients to agencies who can offer additional help and begin to resolve any underlying problems.
Achievements and Performance The Foodbank operates almost entirely with volunteers, who number around 50 presently. The Trustees acknowledge the huge contribution to the work of the Charity made by all the volunteers. Durlng the perlod (25/26) we received donated food totalling 31,398kgs. This is lower than the last couple of years but the number of food parcels Issued to cllents Increased to 3,418 including 1,222 to children (2025 - 3,114 and 1,145 respectively). Donations are thought to be lower due to the ongoing cost of living crisis. We still had to purchase basic stock as well as fresh food. During the year we received a grant of £8,100 from Ware Charitles towards the rent of our Ware premises and a second grant of £5,000 from the Adams Trust to buy food for cllents in Ware. During the year we distrlbuted £1,565 (2025 £4,025) In emergency energy grants and £1,580 In fresh food vouchers (2025 £1,060) as a supplement to the food nomally glven out. Flnancial Review The Foodbank had a deflclt of £4,717 in the period. Total funds at 31 March 2026 were £117,603 of which £15,787 is represented by food stocks and £101,816 in cash funds. £37,800 of our cash funds is held as designated to cover the net costs of the remalning period of our 5 year lease to premises at Ware Priory. Income was driven by another exceptional year of donations totalling £133,406 (2024/25 £156,904) - £47,409 in money and food to the value of £85,997. Food to the value of £86,714 (2024125 £97,940) was distributed. Cash expendlture was £65,799 (2025 £63,749) comprising primarily Ware premises costs of £16,200, food purchased of £22,666, contributions totalling £4,000 (including improvements) to the United Reformed Church which houses the Hertford depot, warehouse materials of £1,270, van insurance and paIrS of £3,558 and general insurance prnIuM5 of £472. In addition to paying our part-tlme worker, the trustees awarded honorariums totaling £560 to a small number of volunteers who continue to
shoulder substantial workloads to ensure continuation of the foodbank's activities. Public Benefit In planning its attivities, the Trustees have given regard to the Charity Commission's Public Benefit guidance. Chalr of trustees 28 May 2026
HERTFORD & DISTRICT FOODBANK INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF HERTFORD & DISTRICT FOODBANK FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026 l TeFOrt on Ihe accounts of the the ye¥ ded 31 March 21Y28 whth are set (xrt on the following pages RtI¥• rnspoMlblllll•8 oftru•tee8 and •x•mln•r The trustees are responsible for the Fy¢par ofthe &xyyJnts. The Intstees CSerth9l an audit is not required for this year under secon 144 of the Chanbes hd 2011 Ilhe Charitss Act) and th81 an independent examftat k8 needed. It ts my responslbilty to. eyAmine the xwunts under Sect 145 of the Crli A¢ follow the w(ju5 Is•J da in the Direcbons gNen iry the Charty Comrrtssb)n {und8r Soction 145151{bl ofthe charrf 14 and My èxaminabon was camed OLrt In ac£ordanee wilh genwal Dwttlyons gfven by the Charty CoMmS1on. kn exafflinatK indude8 a rv4i8w of the accx)unting r&ord$ kept by the charity and comparison ofthe actounts presented wh those records It also ClUdeSrsIJerat1 0fY unusual rtems or dwk)sures in the COUnts and seekTrng explanabons from you as trustees cKJnteming any such matters. Tl prorndures undertaken do not provKbe all the e¥idenc that would be required in an oudrt. and consequenty no opm)n is gNen as to whets the awunls present 8-true and fair view. and the report 15 Iiffrfted to those matters sel out in the Stolerrnl beknw. 1nd•pd0nt •xamln•rfs stat•m•nt In connec wth my eXarThnaIi, matter has to nry attenl)n". wh gwes me msonablg cause to lt in any Maten the wuirem8nts'. to keep accounbng reccKds in wth sth)n 130 ofthe Charit ACL. and io prepare &tCAmts whKth the xynIry rncuds and C*jMp WFth the accounbng requir•ff¢nts ofthe Chth Act 2 to wh, in my 0[Hn)n, atten7 sIKJulO be in ortsr to enth a woper understanding of the Phllllp Col•man 28 Atsy 2028
Hertford & District Foodbank Statement of Financial Activities Period Ended 31st March 2026 Total funds 2026 Total funds 2025 Notes restrirted Restrlcted funds funds Xncomlng resources Incomlng resources from generated funds Voluntary Income 133,634 13,100 146.734 152,649 Incoming resources from charitable activltles 1,062 1.062 3,055 Total Incomlng rewurce• 13 100 147 796 Resources expended Charitable activltles Staff costs 129,630 11,347 11,536 141,166 11,347 149,081 11,408 140 977 11536 152513 160489 t4et Incomlng resources (6,281) 1,564 (4.717) (4,785) Funds at the start of the year Funds at the end of the ear 121,120 1,200 121320 127,105 114 839 117 603 122 320
Hertford & District Foodbank Balance Sheet At 31st March 2026 2026 2026 2025 2025 Notes Current assets Stock Cash at bank and In hand 15.787 15,818 Total n¢t assets Represented by: Funds and reserves Restricted funds Unrestrlcted funds 2764 1,200 Approved on 28 May 2026 Chalr of trustees . Treasurer
Principal Accounting Policies Basis of accounting The financial statements have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis induding stock donated and Issued. Incoming resources All Income is credited to the statement of financial activities on a received basis. Donations are credited to the statement of financial activities in the year in which they are received as recelpt is the earliest point at which entitlement is considered certain. Restricted grants and awards are included once the amount is reasonably certain to be received. The income is matched to the period of expenditure for grants extending beyond the financial year. Resources expended and the basls of apportlonlng costs Expenditure is charged to the statement of financial artlvlties on an actual basis. Govemance costs are negligible, and no separate cost has been Identified. Fund ac¢ountlng The RestrEcted Funds are monles ralsed for, and their use restricted to, a specific purpose, or donations subject to donor-imposed condition. The General Fund represents unrestricted and designated monies used to fund working capital and which the organisation may use In furtherance of the charity's objettives.
I Voluntary income Unrestricted Restricted funds fijnds Total 2026 Total 2025 Donatlons In money Donations In kind - food Fundraising 47.409 85,997 228 13.100 60,509 85.997 228 57.898 94,230 521 133.634 13.100 146.734 152,649 2 Incomlng resourcu from Charitable actlvities Unrestricted Restdrte fvnds funds Total 2026 Total 2025 Revaluatlon of stocks at year end Interest 686 376 2820 235- 376 1.062 1.062 3,055 3 Cost of charltable actlvltles Unrestricted Restrlcted funds funds Total 2026 Total 2025 Premlses Rent deposlt 12.100 8,100 20.200 22,300 (1.200) Warehouse materlals Admlnlstration and general Stock purchases Food Issued Other stock donated Energy grants other grants Insurance Van operatlng costs Honorartums Fresh food vouthers 1,270 2,581 19.230 86,714 1,270 2.581 22,666 86,714 1.634 2,403 18,422 86,022 11,918 4,025 3.436 1.565 1.565 472 3.558 560 1,580 472 3,558 560 468 1.402- 627 1.060 129,630 11.536 141.166 149.081
4 Staff costs 2026 2025 Staff c05t5 during the year were as follows: Wages and salarles Includin9 pension Social security costs Total staff costs 10.915 432 11.347 11.114 294 11,408 It has not been possible to quantify the monetary value of the servIS of approximately 50 volunteers who glve theirume freely. providing a wlde range of support to the charity. There was one employee durfng the perfod. 5 Stock 2026 2025 Food 15,787 15,818 15,787 15,818 6 Cash at bank and In hand 2026 2025 Bank attounts I1,566 105,252 Rent deposlt 1.200 1.200 Petty cash 50 50 101,816 106,502
7 Movements in funds At 1 Aprfl In¢omlng Igoing At 31 March 2026 RestrtGttd fund• Ad8m$ Twst {Food ts Ware) {3,436) 1,564 Ware foodbank project 8,11)0 18,100) Total restricted funds 1.200 13.100 (11.536) 764 Unrestricted funds General Fund 121.120 134,696 (140.977) 114,839