Bay of Plenty dairy owner helping ease the pain of coronavirus lockdown

An Edgecumbe dairy owner is helping vulnerable locals by handing out bread and milk to those who can't afford it.

Amandeep Singh says it's the least he could do, and decided to help after seeing people in the community with no food.

"We're just giving them free bread and milk."

He says it's costing him about $100 a day and says during the lockdown it's not about making money, "it's just help".

News of his generosity has spread quickly.

Whakatane Mayor Judy Turner says she's immensely proud "that we have businesses behaving in that kind of way, trying to make difference rather than a profit".

Meanwhile Mr Singh is thankful he's making people happy, while embodying the Prime Minster's message to be kind.