A store in Hamilton run by Kaivolution aims to provide free food to the public to stop so much waste going to landfill.

Food lines the shelves and meat waits stacked in the chiller at Hamilton's newest grocery store.

But there's no cash register in this supermarket.

Over four years Hamilton-based non-profit Kaivolution has redistributed 574 tonnes of edible food that would otherwise go to the tip.

DOMINICO ZAPATA/STUFF Tara McLaren said that the food options will change daily as to what is available.

Now they've got a shop from which people can stock up for free.

The timing of the opening is not a coincidence with Christmas just around the corner, co-ordinator Tara McLean said.

DOMINICO ZAPATA/STUFF Jo Wrigley said it's about climate action not so much feeding the needy that is a by-product of saving the planet.

"Times are tough for lots of people we really wanted to open before Christmas."

Products available range from noodles, cake mix, vegetables and fruit to meat, ice cream, and organic olive oil.

None of the products will be passed the used-by-date.

DOMINICO ZAPATA/STUFF The products are approaching their best by date and often they're donated because they've been packaged wrong.

Non-perishables are going into the landfill before their best by date and some of the food is well before that, McLean said.

"It could be the food has been packaged wrong, it's the wrong size or meat has been stickered incorrectly."

"The items available will change every day depending on what comes in."

There will be restrictions on how much food people can get - it's to get them through the day and night.

Volunteers will be at stations and a few people will be allowed into the shop at a time so it's not overwhelming.

"Because we are open five days a week it's not about coming and doing your grocery shopping here. It's about making sure there is enough for everyone - we want to make sure it goes as far as possible."

The shop at 200 Commerce Street will open Monday to Friday between 4 to 5pm, in January the extended hours will be 12pm to 4pm.

Jo Wrigley, manager of GoEco which operates Kaivolution, said the organisation wanted to move from providing food through social agencies to increasing accessibility.

"There is no judgment, no criteria - just come and use the kai. We would rather it be used than go to waste."

It will also allow social services to bring people in that may have been in a difficult situation.

"Rather than try and go through the WINZ and food bank they can avoid that they can just grab that kai here and do without the paperwork."

A similar project is planned for the Western Community centre before Christmas.

And of course, people need to bring their own recyclable bag.