The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's articles, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
The primary objectives and aims of the charity are:
i. to relieve poverty and promote health equality through supporting the sustainable provision of affordable healthy food to people living in the City of Edinburgh and surrounding areas, primarily those with a low income; and
ii. to advance education through the provision of training in food, nutrition, food preparation, and food hygiene; and
iii. to advance community development through supporting the establishment and growth of local community food and health initiatives.
In the financial year 2023-24 we continued our work around Healthier food – Healthier lives – Healthier futures.
We supported tens of thousands of people to learn more about healthier food and cooking from scratch. Our primary focus is people in disadvantaged and marginalised groups, including; the six priority families, vulnerable younger people, low-income or socially-isolated individuals, Black and Ethnic Minority communities, care leavers, older people, carers, refugees, and those engaging with Criminal Justice Services.
We also provided (either as part of a programme or through our social enterprise sales) thousands of items of fresh fruit and vegetables, enabling people to cook nourishing meals at home, contributing to a healthier lifestyle.
We co-ordinated and hosted opportunities for thousands of professionals in public health, social care, early years and community food to network, develop ideas and discuss how best to collectively tackle health inequalities and poverty across the city and beyond. These discussions help us further achieve our aims by working collectively with partners to reduce health inequalities.
The Board of Directors would like to thank everyone who has contributed in some way to our work in 2023-24.
We would like to specially thank all 18 permanent and sessional staff, and 60 volunteers for their hard work and contribution to the organisation. We are extremely proud of our team and their dedication and compassion for working to reduce health inequalities.
Thanks also goes to the community growers and food producers whose produce we purchase or who donated. The range and quality of sustainable produce not only feeds our community but creates excitement, particularly about locally grown produce.
Finally, thanks to our many funders, community partners, and individual donors, without whom Edinburgh Community Food would be unable to deliver these crucial services to our community.
This report summarises our activities throughout the year 2023-24. Most of our projects and activities contribute to more than one of our objectives.
Community Food and Health Projects
The community food and health projects we run in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas include: the supply of fruit and vegetables to participants to cook at home, advice about budgeting or benefits, nutrition and health promotion, and access to our training courses. Therefore, they contribute to us relieving poverty, furthering education and advancing community development.
Discover! - the city-wide programme to reduce food and financial stress, reduce social isolation, reduce the attainment gap, and promote and encourage healthier eating.
Eat Well for Oral Health - a community-based food skills and nutrition project, run in partnerships with LINKnet, to drive oral health improvements for those living in vulnerable circumstances and affected by socio-economic and race inequalities.
Meals and More - who support Edinburgh Community Food to supply food, activities and equipment to low-income and vulnerable families across Edinburgh who do not or cannot engage with Discover! during school holidays.
Edinburgh Community Food work with the ‘Criminal Justice Services – Community Justice’ on the Willow and Crossroads projects, support women and men going through the justice system with food and health input and providing access to healthier lunches.
The ‘Healthy Little Foodies’ project focuses on families with very young children, supporting them with workshops which provide advice and support around weaning, fussy eating, parenting and general baby and toddler nutrition.
The ‘Healthy Little Foodies for Professionals’ project supports professionals to learn more about fussy eating and how best to support families struggling with their children’s eating and behaviour around food.
Out and About – working with Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, we deliver cooking groups, nutrition sessions and training as part of this programme to deliver environmental, physical activity, health and social benefits within South East Edinburgh, Oxgangs & Dumbiedykes.
After taking part in a group, 98% of participants surveyed are more aware of the importance of healthier eating and 97% feel less socially isolated.
Tackling Health Inequalities Through our Community Networks
Our experience and strong partner relationships - which include Edinburgh Community Health Forum - put us in a strong position to co-ordinate and lead city-wide approaches to health inequalities. By working together, we can reduce health inequalities and relieve poverty in a scalable way.
In 2023-24 this included:
Menu For All - Joining Food and Support Access aims to give Edinburgh the scalable capacity to respond to need, build and coordinate capacity across the city, and provide accessible and reliable support services to those in need. We hosted regular meetings with 18 organisations from the Advice sector, statutory bodies and community food organisations. The network embeds workstreams to support the Joining of Food and Support Access, with Workstream 3 having developed proposed strategies for setting and quality assuring standards and principles around nutrition, food hygiene and dignity.
Cash First Toolkit – With funding from the Scottish Government, Edinburgh Community Food co-designed and co-developed a Cash First Toolkit to support community food organisations to boost their own knowledge, skills and confidence – and enhance their ‘move-on’ support – when supporting community members experiencing crisis.
Public Health Scotland - The Community Food National Reference group, comprising regional food partners and the Scottish Government, was created to support and address the limited understanding of the sources of support available locally across Scotland for community organisations and groups who hope to develop access to, and/or take up of healthier foods within their communities.
Big Hoose - We have developed a relationship with Big Hoose to provide local organisations, community cafes, charities, schools and health & social work teams with essential items for children and families. This includes kitchen & cooking equipment, bedding, nappies, toilet rolls, clothing and shoes. Families are referred through social work, criminal justice system (focusing on young families) and community groups.
Café Network – The Café Network is an important community resource and has 42 members. As coordinator of the network we provide warm space support and promote the Breastfeeding Friendly environments and Scottish Child Payments. We provide resources, training, promote volunteering opportunities, and enhance employability, in addition to managing the website and social media. There are at least 8 café meetings throughout the year. Many Cafés also took part in the Discover! Programme, providing lunches.
Supplying Sustainable, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Our social enterprise sells fresh fruit and vegetable boxes, our bespoke in house Take & Make DIY meal kits, ambient goods, fruit baskets and hampers. Food for our projects is also sourced by our buying specialist and consortium through our social enterprise. The profits directly provide food to those in crisis and help us to build new programmes of work to respond to and support those most in need.
Home customers - The cost-of-living crisis, Brexit and political uncertainty continue to impact food costs and as such we cannot compete competitively against the high street retailers. Despite this we have a loyal customer base, underpinned by our tailored, unique and friendly person-to-person service.
Business Sales – Fruit basket sales to businesses have increased as the importance of staff wellbeing has risen and more people return to office working. We offer health talks for staff wellbeing as part of this.
Hospital Stalls – Our stalls run monthly at The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, The Western General Hospital and the Sick Kids Hospital. These provide the opportunity for staff, visitors and patients to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables and take and make meal kits. We also provide health promotion inputs for health care professionals.
Discharge to Recharge - We developed our ‘Discharge to Recharge’ food provision for people being discharged from hospital without help at home, working with the Western General and Royal Infirmary hospitals. The aim of this food provision is to ease delayed discharge across the city and reduce the risk of re-admissions.
Crisis Food – While the need for emergency food boxes at scale has reduced, there is an increase in need around ‘moving people on’ from crisis support. We continue to provide support using our pay-it-forward scheme to individuals in need.
Take and Make DIY meal kits - Our Take & Make DIY meal kits continue to flourish and we have supplied a total of 1,296 meal bags under our full-priced, subsidised and free models, based on ability to pay. Recipients have included Castleview Primary’s food bank, Edinburgh Leisure, Hospital Outlet customers, Pilmeny Development Project, Leith Walk Police Box, VOCAL and NHS staff. We have recently extended our reach to Fife.
Best Start Food box scheme – We supply a targeted and enhanced box for those in receipt of the Best Start Food Grant. We also top up the box with wrap-around support, including: nutritional information, oral health toothbrush and toothpaste packs, and additional free healthier store cupboard items from Fareshare and donations.
The food boxes and meal kits supplied have allowed people to prepare and cook over 50,000 nourishing meals.
"I can't thank you enough, it's so hard right now! if it wasn't for people and places like this people would go hungry, and this has helped me massively. thanks to you and all the team!"
In addition to supplying nourishing food, the boxes and kits create an opportunity for families to come together, share an experience, grow their confidence cooking, have fun with food and reduce isolation.
Food and Health Training
In 2023-24 Edinburgh Community Food’s training catalogue included:
Royal Environment Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) courses
Edinburgh Community Food has been providing REHIS training courses for around 16 years. Our six-strong Development Team currently runs courses in: Food Hygiene, Food and Health (Nutrition), Food and Health for Carers of Adults with a Learning Disability, Allergy Awareness, Elementary Nutrition, and Eating Well for Older People. We have been working with City of Edinburgh council providing Food Hygiene community-based training and investment for the city’s schools’ catering teams.
Health Issues in the Community (HIIC)
HIIC helps people understand what affects their health and the health of their communities. Through the course, participants gain a broad understanding of the social model of health, health inequalities, power and participation, and community development approaches in health – and how they can use these to make change happen in their own communities.
HENRY
HENRY’s vision is that children have a healthy, happy start in life, to flourish throughout childhood and beyond. Helping families put positive lifestyle changes into practice as part of everyday family life depends on the knowledge and skills of the practitioner. All staff have undergone HENRY, benefitting from its transferable skills and employing the learning across all development work.
Edinburgh Community Food ran 56 training courses with over 500 community participants and delivered 60 health talks for over 900 community members.
Participants include people from Black & Minority Ethnic communities and partner organisations, Edinburgh Community Food’s service users and volunteers, community café staff, early years providers, third sector staff and volunteers, care staff and members of the public. We build these programmes through consultation with communities and people with lived experience, ensuring best fit and cultural appropriateness. In these and many more cases, our courses provide skills that increase access to volunteering and employability.
Health Promotion Campaigns
Health promotion is weaved through all Edinburgh Community Food work. In 2023-24 we ran 28 different campaigns including; Allergy Awareness Week, Fizz Free Feb, Gentle Sleep Support, Love Food Hate Waste CAN-paign and World Breastfeeding Week. For each campaign we promote on our social media, email newsletter and website. We also create, run and deliver health talks to partners and communities.
Our website has had 56,250 views in the year
We reach 140k users across Facebook and Twitter
Most popular Facebook post: Gracemount men's cooking group ramen noodle soup recipe - 6217 reach. Our men’s group was also the highest performing content on Instagram.
Sustainability
We continue to make improvements to our operations. We have moved finance, invoicing and HR systems online, reducing paper. All our food boxes are almost entirely plastic free. We have also removed all unnecessary plastic packaging from our Take’n’Make DIY meal kits. We continue to have conversations with our suppliers about reducing plastic.
In our development work, we emphasise buying and consuming seasonal, plant-based, locally sourced produce wherever possible, for sustainability and for nutrition and affordability reasons. We also cover food waste reduction. We buy as local as possible and our buying specialist has forged new partnerships with new local suppliers to increase the range of local foods we offer, including with Jock Tamson’s Gairden, Lauriston Farm and other small growers.
All our cooking groups and training programmes raise awareness of energy reduction methods and provide practical tips to minimise food waste and energy usage.
Future Plans
We will continue our work in Healthier Food, Healthier lives, Healthier futures, supporting the most vulnerable in our community to alleviate health inequalities, learn new skills, reduce isolation, and have fun with food.
Specifically in 2024-25 the Trustees will:
Seek the views of our members regarding the suitability of our charitable objectives given the landscape in which we now operate.
Develop scenario planning, considering external factors that may impact Edinburgh Community Food in the next 3 years.
Continue our work to measure and promote our impact, particularly against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Scottish Government National Performance Framework and Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022.
Identify investment opportunities (either products, solutions or other) that will ready Edinburgh Community Food for the future.
Edinburgh Community Food remains financially strong despite ending the year with a deficit. the value of our assets exceed our liabilities.
As at 31st March 2024, the charity held total reserves of £391,124 (2023 - £434,573) of which £98,430 (2023 - £79,179) were restricted and could only be used to fund the projects for which they were received. Unrestricted reserves are £292,694 (2023 - £355,394).
Our total income decreased by 25% compared to 2022-23. The biggest decrease was in our charitable activities as we experienced reduced demand for crisis food provision, in part due to developing new approaches to build financial resilience. We are committed to embedding and promoting Cash First approaches across all our work, supporting people to access benefits and enhanced pathways to money, providing choice, dignity and compassion. We no longer supply food parcels for Ukrainian refugees at the scale seen the year before. Other contracts that we gained to supply lunches and other food provisions have not continued.
Another impact to our income was a decrease in our restricted funds by 15%. Several funds awarded in 2022-23 were to directly address the cost-of-living crisis, particularly the high energy costs, however these funds have not continued this year. Positively, our unrestricted grants, donations and gifts increased in the year but not enough to replace all the income from the above sources.
Providing fresh fruit and vegetables is core to our charitable objectives and it remains very important to maintain variety in our boxes. We worked hard in the year to substitute high costs items for more affordable ones and to utilise donations. Although our income decreased our food costs did not decrease at the same rate, impacting upon our charitable expenditure.
Going Concern
The Trustees have no concerns about Edinburgh Community Food continuing as a going concern.
Reserves Policy
Edinburgh Community Food Ltd.’s reserves policy for unrestricted reserves is to ensure that the balance is a minimum of 3 months running costs, estimated at £60k per month; or the cost of winding up, whichever is greater.
With unrestricted reserves of more than £180k (grown through charitable activities providing crisis and other food provision since 2020) we are please to be meeting this policy.
Principle Funding Sources
Edinburgh Community Food could not deliver this work without the support of our funders and donors. Our funding is primarily modest local and national government funds which contribute almost 60% of our income. Our largest funder is the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board. Despite recent uncertainty around this fund - and an unprojected 10% cut going forward from April 2024 - this funding has been secured until March 2026. As there are ongoing concerns for the future of this of funding, Edinburgh Community Food is building other revenue streams.
We also secure other private grants and funds.
Donations and fundraising from local citizens are a crucial part of our funding model. Small scale and short timeline donations are unrestricted, enabling highly reactive support provision based on identified needs. In 2023-24 crowd funded donations from individuals increased thanks to a campaign to support The Big Hoose. We hope to do more of this in the future.
Diversifying our funding streams has been a focus in 2023-24 as the number of funds available decreases, and the types of funds alter. Edinburgh Community Food is looking to grow our ability to campaign and fundraise.
Our resources are used to operate our social enterprise and deliver the projects outlined in this report. This includes leasing our premises (comprising our warehousing facilities and offices) and owning and maintaining our two vans making deliveries across the city. In 2023-24 we have invested in our warehouse to adapt to different goods we will distribute.
Our staff are key to the successful delivery of our projects, this includes warehouse, finance, operational staff, nutrition development officers and sessional staff. They adapt and flex to help us achieve our charitable objectives.
Staff costs remain our largest expenditure. Providing fair pay for our staff is very important. We follow the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First guidance criteria and this year became an accredited Living Wage employer. We also introduced performance-based pay awards in addition to increases to account for inflation. Both are discretionary and the budget is decided annually by the SMT and Board of Directors. It’s important that we support and encourage our team to develop in their roles and reward their development. Inflationary rises help ensure equality in line with our values.
Investment Policy and Performance
Edinburgh Community Food currently has no investments. In the year 2024-25 we will be looking to invest some of our unrestricted reserves in opportunities that provide long term benefits to our community.
Governing document
The Company is a Company limited by guarantee without share capital. The Company’s objects and powers are prescribed by its Memorandum of Association, and it is governed in accordance with its Articles of Association.
Trustees
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Recruitment, appointment and training of new trustees
Trustees of the Management Board are elected by the members of Edinburgh Community Food Ltd.
In the year, five new trustees were elected. Each was given a buddy to help with operational matters and general support. A Trustee pack was developed including key documents and code of conduct to help Trustees understand the organisation and our expectations of them.
Management
The day to day running of the Charity is delegated to the CEO and senior members of staff,
Risk Management
The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the Charity is exposed, and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. Risk is a standard item on monthly board meetings. Board meetings include standing items, focusing on core areas of risk: Finance, Risk, Safeguarding, and Conflicts of Interest.
A risk register is maintained and reviewed regularly. A Governance, Risk and Audit working group has been established to take a leading role on these matters and ensure that Trustee’s receive the information required to ensure good governance. A review of Good Governance using the SCVO checklist is planned for 2024-25.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
The trustees, who are also the directors of Edinburgh Community Food Ltd. for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Edinburgh Community Food Ltd. (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared, which includes the directors' report prepared for the purposes of company law, is consistent with the financial statements; and
the directors' report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate and proper accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
We have been appointed as auditor under Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and report in accordance with the Acts and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, as outlined above, to detect material mis-statements in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations as detailed below.
The audit team has appropriate skills and expertise required and through discussions with management and Trustees, knowledge of the sector to ensure any non-compliance is recognised and all necessary disclosures are made. The controls in place help the Charity mitigate the risk of fraud and also aids them in highlighting any instances of fraud that might have occurred.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below:
Making enquiries of management about any known or suspected instances of non compliance with laws and regulations, including GDPR, employment law, food hygiene laws, health and safety laws and fraud
Review of correspondence with regulators including OSCR, Companies House and legal advisors
Review of legal fees expenditure and board minutes
Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates including the application of judgement-based accounting policies and the allocation of restricted expenses
Auditing the risk of management override controls, including through testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness
Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual transactions.
Because of the field in which the charity operates in, we identified the following areas as those most likely to have a material impact on the financial statements:
Direct impact on financial statements:
Companies Act 2006
FRS 102
SORP 2019
Indirect impact on financial statements:
Employments laws
Health & safety laws
Food hygiene regulations
GDPR
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with regulation 10 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members and trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company, the charitable company’s members as a body,and the charitable company’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 16 to 34 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 16 to 34 form part of these financial statements.
The notes on pages 16 to 34 form part of these financial statements.
Edinburgh Community Food Ltd. is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is 22 Tennant Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 5ND.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's articles, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Grants including government grants are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance Sheet.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slowmoving items
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Provisions are recognised when the charity has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the charity will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value. When a provision is measured at present value, the unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in net income/(expenditure) in the period in which it arises.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
The cost of providing benefits under defined benefit plans is determined separately for each plan using the projected unit credit method, and is based on actuarial advice.
The change in the net defined benefit liability arising from employee service during the year is recognised as an employee cost. The cost of plan introductions, benefit changes, settlements and curtailments are recognised as incurred.
The net interest element is determined by multiplying the net defined benefit liability by the discount rate, taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability during the period as a result of contribution and benefit payments. The net interest is recognised in income/(expenditure) for the year.
Remeasurement changes comprise actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling and the return on the net defined benefit liability excluding amounts included in net interest. These are recognised immediately in other recognised gains and losses in the period in which they occur and are not reclassified to income/(expenditure) in subsequent periods.
The net defined benefit pension asset or liability in the balance sheet comprises the total for each plan of the present value of the defined benefit obligation (using a discount rate based on high quality corporate bonds), less the fair value of plan assets out of which the obligations are to be settled directly. Fair value is based on market price information, and in the case of quoted securities is the published bid price. The value of a net pension benefit asset is limited to the amount that may be recovered either through reduced contributions or agreed refunds from the scheme.
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Tangible fixed assets are depreciated over a period to reflect their estimated useful lives. The applicability of the assumed lives is reviewed annually, taking into account factors such as physical condition, maintenance and obsolescence.
Fixed assets are also assessed as to whether there are indictors of impairment. This assessment involves consideration of the economic viability of the purpose for which the asset is used.
Expenditure is allocated against restricted funds in line with budgeted costs, once incurred. Direct costs are applied to each individual fund. Wages are allocated across projects both on a direct and a percentage basis, Where salaries are funded, the allocation of wages is direct. For employees involved in several projects, salaries are allocated on a time percentage basis.
A review is carried out at each year end to determine the likeliness of aged balances becoming irrecoverable. Balances which are doubtful are transferred to a bad debt provision, until such time that recovery status can be determined.
Grants receivable
Food provision and education
Purchases
Office costs
Sundries
Premises expenses
Motor expenses
Project costs
Other staff costs
Bad debts
Over-recovery of input VAT
Bank interest
Pension deficit interest
Accountancy services
Governance costs includes payments to the auditors of £8,956 (2023 - £11,500) for audit of the charity's annual financial statements and £1,070 (2023 - £nil) for tax advisory services.
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity, or were reimbursed for any expenses during the year (2023 - £NIL).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
In YE23, a VAT provision was recognised for amounts owed to HMRC in respect of an over-recovery of input VAT. In YE24, the liability was calculated and the provision reversed.
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The company participates in the SVS scheme; a multi-employer scheme which provides benefits to some 82 non-associated employers. The scheme is a defined benefit scheme in the UK. It is not possible for the company to obtain sufficient information to enable it to account for the scheme as a defined benefit scheme. Therefore it accounts for the scheme as a defined contribution scheme.
The scheme is subject to the funding legislation outlined in the Pensions Act 2004 which came into force on 30 December 2005. This, together with documents issued by the Pensions Regulator and Technical Actuarial Standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council, set out the framework for funding defined benefit occupational pension schemes in the UK.
The scheme is classified as a 'last-man standing arrangement'. Therefore the company is potentially liable for other participating employers' obligations if those employers are unable to meet their share of the scheme deficit following withdrawal from the scheme. Participating employers are legally required to meet their share of the scheme deficit on an annuity purchase basis on withdrawal from the scheme.
A full actuarial valuation for the scheme was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2020. This actuarial valuation was certified on 21 December 2021 and showed assets of £153.3m, liabilities of £160.0m and a deficit of £6.7m. To eliminate this funding shortfall, the trustees and the participating employers have agreed that additional contributions will be paid, in combination from all employers, to the scheme as follows.
Amounts recognised in the profit and loss account:
Amounts taken to other comprehensive income:
The amounts included in the balance sheet arising from the charity's obligations in respect of defined benefit plans are as follows:
Deficit contributions
From 1 April 2022 to 31 May 2024:
£1,473,969 per annum (payable monthly and increasing by 3% each year on 1st April)
Note that the scheme’s previous valuation was carried out with an effective date of 30 September 2017. This valuation showed assets of £120.0m, liabilities of £145.9m and a deficit of £25.9m.
The recovery plan contributions are allocated to each participating employer in line with their estimated share of the scheme liabilities.
Where the scheme is in deficit and where the charity has agreed to a deficit funding arrangement the company recognises a liability for this obligation. The amount recognised is the net present value of the deficit reduction contributions payable under the agreement that relates to the deficit. The present value is calculated using the discount rate detailed in these disclosures. The unwinding of the discount rate is recognised as a finance cost.
Movements in the present value of defined benefit obligations:
The defined benefit obligations arise from plans funded as follows:
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Purpose of restricted funds:
Capital Funding
This fund contains various capital grants which enabled the charity to invest in vehicles and develop their warehouse facilities. The balance on this fund is being depreciated over the useful life of the underlying assets.
EIJB Funding
Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board grant provides core funding. This allows Edinburgh Community Food to help tackle health inequalities by engaging with and supporting more people in communities to eat more healthily and by improving our sustainability and impact. Edinburgh Community Health Forum provide robust, consistent support.
Out & About
Out & About is a long-running health, greenspace and physical activity programme run in partnership with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust, with a remit to deliver environmental, health and social benefits within South East Edinburgh, Oxgangs and Dumbiedykes.
CEC Sustainability
Monies awarded from Edinburgh City Council to support Edible Edinburgh & sustainability.
Scottish Government Funding
Scottish Government funding comprises various grants received each year for a number of different projects including Eat Well for Oral Health, Future Food, Cash First & Fair Food. All Scottish Government funding is aimed at improving public health by promoting healthier diets.
Big Hoose Project
Income raised through crowd sourced funding. ECF have been working with the Big Hoose Project in Fife to provide local organisations, community cafes, charities, schools and health & social work teams with essential items for children and families, including kitchen & cooking equipment, bedding, nappies, toilet rolls, clothing and shoes.
Community Projects
This year includes 'Discharge to Recharge' which was NHS Funded. Through the Edinburgh Wellbeing Pact Capacity to Collaborate Edinburgh Community Food developed our ‘Discharge to Recharge’ food provision programme for people being discharged from hospital without help at home. The aim of this food provision is to ease delayed discharge across the city.
Coorie In
This was funded by THRIVE and and allowed payments to be made to cafes to provide winter warm spaces.
A Welcome Door
This was funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. The project was supported community partner organisations, such as YMCA, LINKnet and Pilton Community Health Project, in addition to Criminal Justice Services - Community Justice, Police Scotland and General Practice Link Workers, to identify those in immediate hardship and to make referrals to Edinburgh Community Food for the following: fresh food to prepare, healthy ready meals, long life items, equipment/appliances, fuel support, transport support, clothing and blankets.
Stay & Play
Working in partnership with Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (Edinburgh) Edinburgh Community Food supports Ukrainian families with pre-school children and babies with a safe play space, food support, food activities, training opportunities, one-to-one Nutrition support, hot drinks and healthy snacks for parents and children.
Food, Fuel & Cost of Living Award
Edinburgh Community Food disbursed cost of living support to vulnerable members of our communities with the aim of increasing dignity, agency and control and easing the emotional impacts associated with hardship.
Corra
The Wellbeing Fund delivered by Corra Foundation was set-up to support community recovery and improve health and wellbeing. ECF successfully used the funding to provide £50 emergency payments.
Leith Chooses
Funding for the Leith Walk police box (Sema/bite size cooking).
Lochend, Craigentinny & Restalrig (LCR) Stands Up
Funding for Stay & Play.
Meals and More
Meals and More provide financial support to ECF, enabling them to support vulnerable families and their children across Edinburgh who are struggling to access nourishing food during school holidays. The support - which is provided across all school holidays - includes food, recipes, health promotion information, cooking equipment, opportunities for physical activity, cash first information and partner organisation signposting information.
Vocal
Funding which enabled us to offer additional support, food and resources to carers we engage with.
Menu for All
The Menu for All network was developed in response to a call to action from the Edinburgh Poverty Commission, with a vision to ensure no one goes hungry due to a lack of money and that Food Banks are the last port of call. Menu For All joins food and support access aims to give Edinburgh the scalable capacity to respond to need, build and coordinate capacity across the city, and provide accessible and reliable support services to those in need.
The Willow Project
The Project funded through City of Edinburgh Council enables us to work with women (and men - via the associated Crossroads project) in the criminal justice system. A specific focus is given to cooking and nutrition sessions.
Food Flow
In 2023 Edinburgh Community Food (ECF) accessed funding support from ChangeX to purchase and supply community-use freezers and display freezers. ECF supplied units and training to Edinburgh’s Criminal Justice services (CJS) and Gracemount Primary Community Room.
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - £NIL).
The charity had no material debt during the year.