A break in at a Christchurch food pantry has highlighted the growing strain on families struggling to afford groceries, as rising fuel prices threaten to push food costs even higher.
The pantry, which receives fresh produce from a nearby volunteer run community garden, was recently burgled with locked doors forced open and food taken.
Manager Nicola Mears said the theft was particularly disappointing because the food was intended for people in need.
"This is rescued food to be distributed to people who really need it," she said.
"When food is taken like this, it limits what we can provide to others."
Just down the road, volunteers at the Riccarton Community Garden are working to grow and share fresh produce, helping locals stretch increasingly tight budgets.
Pātaka Trust member Kate Murray said demand for initiatives like the garden is growing as food prices rise.
"We grow whatever's in season and whatever grows well in Christchurch," she said. "People are really interested both in the food and in learning how to grow it themselves."
Across the city in New Brighton, the pressure was also being felt at the community fridge, where free food is disappearing quickly.
Coordinator Trudy Burrows said new faces were arriving daily.
"Every day at the moment," she said. "People are coming from everywhere, even across town."
Food prices rose 4.5% in the twelve months to February, driven by strong global demand and tight supply for agricultural commodities. Rising fuel prices were now adding further pressure.
Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold said higher petrol and diesel costs were already flowing through supply chains.
"We'll see the effects relatively quickly as fuel costs pass through into food prices and supermarket prices," he said.
For families, the impact was already being felt. Shoppers say grocery bills have jumped sharply, forcing households to cut back.
"There's no luxuries anymore," one shopper said.
"It's gone from about $300 a week to about $500 for a family of four."
Food banks say donations remain steady, but demand for food parcels was expected to continue to rise, with little relief in sight as household budgets come under further pressure.
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