Countdown is teaming up with Good Neighbour to collect food for families in need in the community.

The collection began with frozen foods and meat on December 4, but as the partnership develops this will extend to other products, fresh produce and bakery items.

Following this initial collection, Good Neighbour will expand their collection to include all five Countdown stores in Tauranga.

'We are excited to add Countdown to our donor partners. This will enable us to increase our recovery of food, which is currently two tonnes per week, and improve the variety and quantity of food we provide to our existing 26 charities,” says Good Neighbour manager John Paine.

'We will also be able to add more charities and better resource them to assist those in need in our community.”

NZ First MP Clayton Mitchell, a strong advocate for food waste minimisation, approached Countdown on behalf of Good Neighbour to promote the creation of this new relationship.

'I'm keen to continue supporting charities like the Good Neighbour and facilitating responsible retailers and wholesalers of food as they look to minimise food waste,” says Clayton.

'Together we can make a positive difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in our society.”

To celebrate the start of their partnership with Good Neighbour, Countdown has donated $500 worth of groceries, and $500 of Countdown vouchers to help Good Neighbour support the Tauranga community.