Nearly half of New Zealand families struggle to access healthy food in their child's first year of life.

A study by Auckland University and Otago University Wellington has looked at the effects of food hardship on young children's nutrition.

It used Growing Up in New Zealand data to see how many families use food banks and have been forced to buy cheaper food.

Auckland University senior research fellow Dr Sarah Gerritsen, told Mike Hosking that kids in families with food hardship,  are more likely to have tried unhealthy food and drink in early infancy.

"We need to have healthier food environments where fruit and vege are the cheaper and most accessible option."

LISTEN ABOVE