In a bid to stop "fit for consumption" food from going to waste in Otago, Countdown and the Salvation Army have launched a programme whereby food from the supermarket is redirected to the Salvation Army food banks.
Salvation Army Otago community ministries manager Major Ian Marshall said demand for emergency food assistance was rising in Otago, with nearly 2200 food parcels distributed to 1069 individuals and families in the year ended September 2011.
The Countdown Food Rescue programme would help to provide good food to those in need, he said. Countdown operations general manager Brett Ashley said there was food in Countdown supermarkets which, for various reasons, could not be sold.
"Much of this food is good quality and can be rescued and sent to create food parcels for those who need it."
With Christmas fast approaching, Mr Ashley said Countdown would boost the Salvation Army foodbanks by donating $500 worth of groceries to each local centre.
"We've heard that many of the Salvation Army foodbanks are running on empty at a time when their services are needed the most.
"More than $80,000 worth of groceries will be provided to the Salvation Army nationwide to create over 1000 food parcels."
Otago residents are encouraged to contribute grocery items also.
The Salvation Army's 10 most needed items for food parcels are pasta, rice, cereal, spaghetti or baked beans, canned fruit and canned vegetables, canned fish and canned meat, sugar, flour, muesli bars and tea, coffee and Milo.
