The Hertford and District food bank, a critical part of the local community, offers an essential lifeline to those on the brink of food poverty, providing 5,190 food parcels to individuals in 2023. 

 

Capable of holding between 3,000-9,000kgs of stock, the food bank hands out an average of 8 food parcels a day. 

 

The food bank, which was opened in 2013 with support from the Trussell Trust (and has now become part of their network) employs one full-time member of staff and has a team of around 50 volunteers working between their two sites. 

 

Those who are in desperate need of food are able to access the foodbank using its voucher referral system. 

 

The parcels are mostly made up of non-perishable items (such as tinned vegetables and long-life juice) and can be adapted to an individual's specific dietary requirements, allowing the foodbank to provide its services to a wider community. 

 

The food parcels can also be modified to include products for any age requirements (e.g, nappies and baby formula).

 

This system enables those to quickly access resources by contacting the food bank's registered issuers (such as Citizens Advice and children's centres) to be supplied with a voucher. 

 

Once issued, a voucher can be exchanged for a minimum of three days worth of emergency food. 

 

People can support the food bank through its many donation points in the local community, in places such as supermarkets and nursing homes, or by donating money directly. 

 

The food bank has allowed many people to experience a second chance within life. For example, one person (taken from the Herts and District Food Bank’s website) said that the help provided by the food bank was “more than food. It was the help needed at the perfect time.” 

 

The food bank, which primarily raises awareness through social media, also provides advice on matters such as support services and benefits for those who need help.

 

It is estimated that 1 in 5 people live below the poverty line in the UK, proving just what an essential and necessary service food banks are in order to keep people happy and healthy.