Too many tinned tomatoes are driving charities bananas.

People are being urged not to donate the canned goods, and at least one Auckland charity has banned donations completely.

The charities say many people who accept goods such as canned chickpeas or tomatoes don't have the ingredients to go with them.

Food columnist Allyson Gofton told Leighton Smith many people lack basic cooking skills.

"We took cooking out of schools some 20-plus years ago. [So] what we've got is almost two generations where we've not even shown them how to make their porridge."

LISTEN ABOVE AS ALLYSON GOFTON SPEAKS WITH LEIGHTON SMITH