A new report on food poverty in Whangarei shows higher-than-expected numbers of people rely on charity to feed their families.
The city's Child Poverty Action Group commissioned the research to find out how many organisations are helping feed the hungry - and how many children might be affected.
A spokeswoman Ngaire Rae says the report found 19 food-providers in Whangarei, including the Maori Women's Welfare League, providing at least 400 food parcels a month.
Work and Income is also making 1100 food grants a month, and all the decile-one schools in the district are providing food for their pupils, according to the food security report launched at Manaia Health in Whangarei.
