Our History

Welcome to the fascinating journey of Dunsters Farm, a family-run business that has been feeding the North for almost 60 years. Our story is woven from the threads of hard work, innovation, family values, and a deep love for food.

Brandlesholme Pig Farm, 1958

1954

Our history traces back to 1954 when our founder, Les Ratcliffe, bought a milk round from his father, James.

1958

A few years later in 1958, Les and his wife, Nancy, moved their young family to Dunsters Farm, a then rundown pig farm located in Brandlesholme.

Dunsters Farm Ltd, 1963

1960

In 1960, Les encountered a Dutchman in Clitheroe who was making something new called ‘Yoghurt’. Despite initial scepticism, Les saw potential in the product and started selling yoghurt.

1963

Dunsters Farm became a limited company in 1963, marking an important milestone in our journey.

Birmingham Wholesale Market, 1982

1970

Building on the success of the Manchester Market unit, Dunsters opened up a unit at the Liverpool Wholesale Fruit and Veg Market. This expanded our reach and led to increased early morning deliveries around Liverpool and Southport.

1982

Jeremy, Elizabeth and Heather, and long-serving staff member, Jack Rothwell, opened a unit on the Wholesale Market in Birmingham, marking another significant expansion.

Dunsters Delivery Van, 1991

1987

1987 saw Les’ son, James, join the business. Around this time, Dunsters introduced its first computer and opened depots in Kirkham and Yorkshire, signalling our initial steps towards digitisation and further geographic expansion.

1991

In 1991, we moved from the original Dunsters Farm in Brandlesholme to a new home in Tottington.

Waterfold Park Bury, 2006

1990s

A significant contract win with Sayers the Bakers in the 1990s saw Dunsters Farm delivering to bakery shops in and around Liverpool.

2006

A decade later, in 2006, we moved into our purpose-built facility at Waterfold Park, Bury, allowing us to better cater to the growing demands of our customers.

Hannah & Tom, 2016

2014

A transition in our family business as James left to pursue other business interests, and the third generation, Hannah and Tom, children of Jeremy and Elizabeth, joined the family business.

2016

2016 was a pivotal year for us. We gained Food for Life, Red Tractor and Soil Association Accreditation. In addition, we implemented a new ERP system to improve our service offerings as we looked forward to the future.

Dunsters Delivery Van, 2022

2021

We joined well-respected buying group Caterforce in 2021, utilising their buying expertise to strengthen our position and increase the range we offer our customers.

2022

In 2022, we expanded our business by taking over The Little Food Company, a move that synergised well with our strong customer base in the education sector.

Online Ordering Platform, 2023

2023

Our most recent milestone in 2023 was the launch of our state-of-the-art online ordering platform, revolutionising the way we serve our customers.

The Dunsters Farm journey is one of resilience, continuous innovation, and unwavering commitment to serving our customers. We’re proud of our history and excited for what the future holds. Thank you for being part of our story.

bird's-eye view photography of land with trees

Sustainability

At Dunsters Farm, sustainability is not an afterthought but an integral part of our business model.

Our Team

Discover the passionate, dedicated individuals who contribute to our award winning, family-run business.

Our Home

Our home at Waterfold Park is more than a place of work, it's where our passion for food service comes alive.

photography of orange tomatoes and brown potatoes

Our Products

Committed to providing an array of quality food and beverage items tailored to your needs.

Join our family of satisfied customers

Our relationships with our clients are built on trust, respect, and our shared passion for quality food. At Dunsters Farm, we pride ourselves on our commitment to exceptional service and a personalised approach to meet each customer’s unique needs.