South Taranaki's foodbanks are making big changes to stop people double dipping and taking more food than they would usually be allowed.

Hawera Foodbank's supplies have dwindled as families flock to their door in the hunt for food parcels each week.

The organisation suspects part of the increased demand has been because of some people taking advantage of the system.

Although South Taranaki organisations have been struggling to meet demand for years, the squeeze has really been put on in 2015, foodbank volunteer Paul Rae said.

He said it was not uncommon for clients to arrived packed into cars, asking for separate parcels for the families of each individual and that was what had caused them to re-think allocation procedures.

Those requiring assistance now need to present a Work and Income request letter or have an assessment with Hawera Budget Advisory Service.

"This is an unfortunate step the foodbank has been forced to take to be able to continue to feed the less fortunate genuine families in our community.

"If we sit back and do nothing it will not be long before we run out of food completely and then who will feed these families."

Rae said since Christmas the number of clients using the foodbank has risen from 12 to 15 families per week to 20 and over."

Last week, 28 families required food parcels.

Hawera's Salvation Army captain Rob Gardiner said the demand had meant bringing in supplies from other branches of the organisation.

While they had not experienced such a drastic rise in usage numbers, they were having similar issues.

Two or three members of the same whanau, living at the same address, would visit the foodbank separately for supplies each week.

It was only when details of the exchanges were loaded into their systems that the issue would be discovered.

Both would continue to supply those genuinely in need for as long as they have food available.

New Plymouth Community Foodbank manager Mike Merrick said their situation was far more positive. Food supplies were healthy and a rigorous interview process meant about 95 per cent of clients were in genuine need.