Kaibosh Food Rescue Lower Hutt operation manager Jen Gibson in the branch's new walk-in chiller for food storage.

Kaibosh is making huge strides in ensuring surplus food goes to hungry families instead of feeding landfills.

The Hutt Valley branch of the Wellington food rescue organisation got under way in October but recently held an official launch to thank its volunteers and supporters.

There are 40 volunteers on a roster who come in each weekday evening to sort food collected from six Countdown supermarkets (including Countdown Upper Hutt and Maidstone), Fortune Foods and Community Fruit Harvesting. Kaibosh Lower Hutt now supports a dozen community groups, including Orongomai Marae, Trentham Community House, Vibe youth health and the Oasis Network.

Manager Jen Gibson said the food donations collected since October have provided the equivalent of 47,000 meals to community groups, reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 13,000 tonnes.

Kaibosh Wellington had been rescuing and distributing food in Lower Hutt for some time but Kaibosh Hutt - with its premises in Dudley St doubled in size, a new walk-in chiller and a dedicated refrigerated collection truck - has expanded its role, and also moved into Wainuiomata and Upper Hutt.

More than 60 per cent of the food distributed to community groups is fresh fruit and vegetables.

"That's a health bonus because often with struggling families, fruit and vegetables are the first things that fall off the shopping list because of the expense," Gibson said.

Kaibosh tailors food distributions to client groups' needs. For example, Arohanui Strings might be running a school holiday programme and need afternoon tea, and Refugee Trauma Recovery may have cooking classes on that week.

Despite their steadily growing collection figures, Kaibosh has a waiting list of charities and Gibson is confident there is untapped potential for more food rescue in the Hutt Valley.

Kaibosh is delighted so many people have come on board with their vision and given freely of their time but is always on the lookout for extra volunteers. Find out more at www.kaibosh.org.nz