This year has been a really tough one, not just for wholesale, but everyone throughout the North and beyond.
Here at Dunsters, from the very beginning we wanted to ensure that we were providing a continued, quality service but also supporting the local community effort to pull through an extremely challenging time. Like many other businesses, we adapted, we changed and basically – we tried to do our bit.
Dunsters Farm Opens its Doors – and Vans – to the local community
Whilst it feels like a world away now, there was a time not so long ago where most households were struggling to buy even the most basic of weekly shopping – whether they were unable to go to the shops due to self-isolation or unable to access a delivery slot.
With plenty of stock and a fleet of vans at the ready, Dunsters Farm could help but had no access to customers – it was time for Dunsters Farm to go online.
At break-neck speed, the team launched an online platform making it easier for people to order our stock online and get a swift & safe delivery. In just two weeks, our team had launched a fresh, new web shop and organised a smooth logistical programme of home delivery. It worked well and by the time the 2nd lockdown had finished we’d made over 1500 successful home deliveries!
“I now have regular deliveries from the Dunsters Farm shop and from Sainsbury’s. Dunsters offer items and quantities that supermarkets do not sell. Delivery is always prompt and the staff on the phone and the delivery staff are very friendly. I would certainly recommend them to anyone.”
Barry, Home Delivery Customer
The Dunsters Farm online shop was also able to help many local suppliers who were unable to open their premises during lockdown. We added many beloved local brands such as Greenhalgh’s and Slatttery’s to our online store, reuniting them with their customers and helping them continue to do business during Covid restrictions.
Doing our bit… for those who need it most
With rising unemployment, the Coronavirus pandemic was having a substantial effect on local food poverty. To help with the local efforts to combat this, Dunsters Farm ramped up its support to a host of local charity and community action projects.
This year alone, Dunsters Farm has donated food & support to lots of local charities including Sandwich Angels, Real Junk Food Project, Mad Dogs Homeless Project, Bury Council Foodbanks, Open Kitchen Manchester and Church Wigan. We’ve also supported Key Workers with a charity shopping bag, with all profits going to NHS staff.
In November, we hosted a Facebook competition in collaboration with Slattery’s, asking for nominations of key workers who had gone above and beyond in 2020 – we were overwhelmed with responses and sent out 5 chocolate hampers to deserving local people, working on the frontline.
This December, we finished the year with a Christmas donation to Fareshare, a local food poverty charity that will use the money to redistribute leftover meals to those who need them most.
Our customers stretch across all areas of the North and a number of sectors including education, hospitality and care – all of which have seen huge changes in their businesses. Throughout 2020, We have been providing additional support, whether it be with bespoke guidance, resources or catering-specific new lines to help make organisations Covid-Secure.
Lynne Sloane, Hospitality & Catering Manager, Chellow Heights School
