Ms Elkington said she had heard from families who had relatives staying with them for a Northland summer holiday and suddenly they were faced with more mouths to feed than they could cope with.
"People are really swamped."
Two women were caught trying to leave the Tikipunga Countdown with $150 worth of groceries on Wednesday.
On Tuesday a mother was caught stealing medicinal items, such as paracetamol and cold remedies from Pak'nSave Whangarei.
However, communications manager for Whangarei Police Sarah Kennett said economic hardship does not lead to more crime.
"People shoplift and burgle houses because they want to," she said.
"It's not as a rule because they are desperate for money."
The fortnight before Christmas the Salvation Army gave 120 food parcels each week to needy families.
In the last four days they handed out an estimated 135 parcels.
Ms Elkington said at this time of year the reasons for people to need a food parcel were more complex than usual.
"It's things like relationships have broken up and someone has lost a job. It's not just that a tyre has blown and they have spent their food money on that."
She is full of praise for the generosity on Northlanders who have kept the food bank very well stocked over the holiday period.
"Especially all the greens - the fruit and vegetables - are great. I commend the public."
