''Easy Meal'' recipe books are available.
Anyone who is collecting a food parcel is able to take as much fruit and vegetables as they require.
''We are still on a budget ourselves, what is in here is donated from the community from our wishlist.''
The service has two levels of help — emergency help (three times a year) and helping people who are connected with budget services.
Since the launch of the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal — raising food and donations for the local foodbank — it has been inundated.
Nicki says they have been ''blown away'' by response from the community. Within three weeks, more than $20,000 and 4700 food items were donated to the Tauranga Community Foodbank.
What's in a food parcel?
For a typical food parcel for a family of five:
• Cans of tomatoes, soup, cream corn, baked beans, spaghetti, fish, coconut cream and fruit.
• Toilet paper, soap, sanitary items, razors, shampoo and conditioner.
• Rolled oats, muesli bars.
• Bags of pasta, rice.
• Loaves of bread x3, bread rolls, fruit loaf.
• Milk, tea, jam, peanut butter, pancake mix, Raro.
• Margarine, oil.
• Eggs.
• Fruit and vegetables.
How to apply for a food parcel
• You need to visit one of the Tauranga Community Foodbank's approved referral agencies to obtain a "food parcel referral". Just take along some form of ID and they will be able to get things sorted. They will give the foodbank a call so it knows you will be visiting. That way the team at the foodbank can have everything ready when you arrive.
