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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
