The momentous million meal milestone was a proud moment for volunteer John Foord, who started the Wagga branch as a way to cut down of food waste while feeding the region's hungry.

"I was a farmer and I just couldn't bear waste when I saw what was happening at the back of a supermarket, with good food being thrown in," Mr Foord said.

"It really got me stirred up, and I'd been talking to OzHarvest in the past so that's what got me going."

The charity rescues food from restaurants and supermarkets, which routinely throw away food that is still perfectly fine, but is beyond its "display date".

The volunteers pick up the food, package it up, and then deliver to charities, community hubs, and social houses all around the Riverina.

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One such volunteer is Bill Graham, who said he had seen many heartbreaking scenes while delivering food around Wagga over the last five years.

"There's a lot of poverty out there, but people don't realise until you go and see it in person. It makes you cry, sometimes, especially when you see the kids," Mr Graham said.

"I could write a book about what we've seen and you wouldn't believe one word of it. We've had chairs come through windows when we've knocked on the door."

His wife Janet is also a volunteer, and she said her eyes were opened when she first started going on food delivery runs.

"A large majority of Wagga people have no idea that people are having to go without food and go hungry, even children. A lot of kids go to school without breakfast. It's sad," she said.

Volunteer Jack Whyte has been doing delivery runs in his ute for the past six years, and he said it gave his retirement years a sense of purpose.

"I was retired and looking for something to do, so I thought I'd put a bit back into the community. It's always good to help those less fortunate than you," Mr Whyte said.

"It gives you a lot of satisfaction when you deliver it and see the people who want it. It brings them a lot of joy, and to see the expression of their faces is incredible."

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