While some charities are refusing to take tinned tomatoes, one Hamilton food bank is publically pleading for donations of the food item.
Stuff reports the Hamilton Salvation Army is bucking the trend of disparaging tinned tomatoes and chickpeas, instead asking for more of them, as it's running low.
The controversy began when Auckland-based refuge charity The Aunties banned tinned tomatoes, saying it would rather receive items it actually need.
Hamilton Salvation Army food bank coordinator Christine Canty now says some charities are being "a bit fussy", and she would gratefully accept items like tinned tomatoes, lentils and chickpeas.
"There's never anything that we say that we don't need or that we can't use," she told Stuff.
Every Salvation Army food parcel contains cans of tomatoes, lentils and chickpeas, alongside other household staples.
Usually, each box contains two cans of tomatoes, but due to a shortage, Ms Canty says she can only manage one per parcel.
She's asking for more of the canned fruits and legumes, as they're necessary for low-budget cooking, and an important addition to meals like dahl, mince or pasta bakes.
Helen Gibbs of Dieticians NZ told Stuff that families and children in a refuge situation often need foods that would make them feel safe during a difficult time.
She recommends contacting charities before donating to see what they need before bringing it in.
Newshub.
