There were 28 new applications for food parcels in January alone.
"It's almost a 50 per cent increase." she said.
The number of food parcels given out so far this year was the equivalent to $13,000 worth of items.
In December, the annual Salvation Army Rotorua Daily Post Christmas foodbank appeal raised nearly $76,000 worth of cash and food from public donations.
Ms Fischer said families were under intense pressure at this time of year when schools return.
"They have just got over the expense of Christmas and then they are required to buy items for school, such as uniforms, books, and camps, for the children on top of food and power costs."
Often after paying for school items there was not enough money in the weekly budget for food, she said.
"It becomes difficult when there are four-five children in the family, with some going to primary school and others starting high school, and they all need a uniform."
Many of families were not eligible for WINZ advances, she said.
Ms Fischer said the food parcel applications had come from people "across the board".
"We have had seasonal workers who are laid off due to the weather, working families and students who have a a couple of weeks stand down period between their loan and the unemployment benefit."
Ms Fischer said incomes - wages and benefits - had not kept pace with rising rent, power and petrol. "They are temporary only to hold people over to the next payday, or to get their budgeting organised."