Foodbank Canterbury chief executive John Milligan and Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Poto Williams in the distribution centre in Timaru.

Sixteen tonnes of edible food, past its best by date, has been diverted from landfill since the end of August onto the plates of those in need in Timaru.

Food Bank Canterbury held its official Timaru branch opening on Tuesday evening, marking three months in operation.

Food Bank Canterbury chief executive John Milligan spoke to about 30 people gathered to mark the occasion at The Grosvenor. Milligan said the Timaru project had been a "wonderful" community effort as tradesmen, businesses and volunteers contributed time and building materials to make it happen.

Esther Ashby-Coventry/STUFF Foodbank Canterbury general manager Janice Milligan, left, chief executive John Milligan, centre, and Poto Williams at the official opening of the Timaru branch on Tuesday evening.

Getting the distribution centre building, on Cains Tce, up to scratch had been hard work as it was in such bad condition, he said. Work was halted temporarily at one stage due to the threat of asbestos which turned out to be non existent.

Since the centre has been functioning, about 10 volunteers, and two paid staff, who work 15 hours a week each, rescue 'unsaleable' food from supermarkets that would otherwise be dumped and sort it. It is then collected by foodbanks and charities to distribute to pre-school centres, schools, vulnerable families, individuals and the elderly.

Esther Ashby-Coventry/STUFF Foodbank Canterbury volunteer Mike Duke and co-ordinator Juliana Sykes in the Timaru building where rescued food is collected and distributed from.

Over the past three months, the food distributed equated to about 5,600 meals, Milligan said.

One of the recipients of the foodbank, Arowhenua Whanau Services kaiwhakahaere (manager) Maria Parish said it meant whanau were getting food they would not usually be able to afford - especially meat and vegetables.

Because some people were under significant financial pressure, the number of food parcels had increased from between 20 and 25 to 40 a week over the past few months, The Salvation Army community ministries manager Andrew Rosanowski said.

"We (The Salvation Army) really appreciate the access and supply of food. And the diversity of food is helpful," he said.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Poto Williams who unveiled a scroll, displaying names of foodbank sponsors said food was not always a priority for families who were struggling and when food was insecure the outcomes for children were not good.

Highfield New World store manager Amanda Hogan said partnering with Foodbank Canterbury had been beneficial as the organisation could take a greater range of products and store and distribute them compared to what the supermarket could donate in the past.

Prior to Foodbank Canterbury opening in Timaru, the majority of food "waste" that was not able to be donated was sent to landfill, Hogan said. Local farmers who collect scraps were often not able to take products as they contained ingredients not suitable for animal food, she said.

"This is a win-win scenario. We have seen a reduction in our landfill waste and those in need are receiving assistance. Both of these have great benefit to our local community."

The original Christchurch foodbank organisation was set up in 2015 as City Harvest, its name was changed to Foodbank Canterbury to better reflect it's mission. There are now plans underway to expand the foodbank into Geraldine and Waimate.