Abstract Background Food bank use has increased significantly in the UK. With the rise in demand, it is imperative that users are receiving food parcels that meet their requirements. The present study aimed to explore whether typical food parcels, supplied by The Trussell Trust and independent food banks, were meeting the daily nutrient and energy requirements of an adult user. Methods The Trussell Trust (n = 2) and independent food banks (n = 9) were surveyed in Oxfordshire, UK.