Caterforce member Dunsters Farm Foodservice has acquired Lancashire-based fruit & veg wholesaler Ralph Livesey.
The moves aims to strengthen Dunsters Farm’s fresh produce offering into education, healthcare, and hospitality sectors across the north of England.
Dunsters said Ralph Livesey, which was established in 1920 as a stall in Preston Market, shared its values of supporting local supply chains, reducing food miles and continuing to grow in the regions they serve.
Dunsters’ annual turnover is £35m, while Ralph Livesey’s is approximately £30m.
“Bringing Ralph Livesey into the Dunsters Farm family is a significant step forward for us,” said Dunsters Farm MD Hannah Barlow. “Their reputation for high-quality fresh produce, customer loyalty and regional knowledge is second to none.
”What makes this especially exciting is how naturally our businesses fit together. Both of us started life in the north west; Ralph Livesey with a market stall on Preston’s Flag Market and Dunsters with my grandad’s milk round in Bury. We’ve both grown organically by listening to our customers and staying rooted in our communities.
“We’re proud to be fully independent and welcome another like-minded business into our family, one that shares our commitment to quality, sustainability and local sourcing. It’s a reminder that there is still room for family-operated regional specialists like us to thrive, even in a marketplace increasingly dominated by larger national names.
“As members of the Caterforce buying group we also benefit from the strong collective power of the network, which helps us continue to offer the best price to our customers across the north and Midlands.”
Ralph Livesey MD Andrew Christian said: “This wasn’t just about finding a buyer – it was about finding the right fit. We have spent generations building trusted relationships with our customers and suppliers, and it was important to find a partner who shared that approach. Dunsters Farm really stood out.
“Their values align with ours, their track record in the sector speaks for itself and they genuinely understand what it means to serve the region. With their support, we can continue to grow, evolve and deliver even more to our customers, while staying true to who we are.”
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