An east coast community provider's painted a picture of poverty as families continue to grapple with the rising cost of living.
Food prices aren't showing any sign of dropping, as the country heads towards what are normally the cheaper summer months for buying fruit and vegetables.
The 8.3 percen annual rise in food prices for the year to September is the highest since 2009.
Fruit and vegetables are up 16 percent.
ANZ economist Finn Robinson says one of the factors is the recent cold weather, making growing conditions challenging.
Whakaatu Whanaunga Trust delivers a range of social services to whānau in and around Ōpōtiki.
Its chief executive Steven Walker spoke to Māni Dunlop about the impacts of the rise in food prices.
