The local farm supplying milk for one of the UK’s biggest coffee brands

Whether you favour a classic cappuccino or a caramel latte, most of us have probably enjoyed one of Nescafé’sfrothy coffees.

But what you probably didn’t realise is that they’re made just over the border in Cumbria.

Since 1962, Nestlé has had a factory in the village of Dalston, near Carlisle. Originally focused on the production of powdered and condensed milk, the factory expanded its operations to include cappuccino mixes in 1992, and in 2018, it began producing a vast range of Nescafé frothy coffees and Coffee Mate.

But that’s not all. The milk for these coffees is local too – coming from Dolphenby Farm, just 20 miles down the road.

“Although it's a global business, Nestlé is also a local employer,” says 36-year-old Jonny Slack, who co-manages Dolphenby with his colleague Robert Craig.

Unlike many in the industry, Jonny doesn’t come from a farming family. Starting out aged 16 as a cowman, he has worked his way up to become a stakeholder in Dolphenby – where he now lives with his wife, Lucy, and their three-year-old daughter Neave.

“There’s no better place for a child to grow up,” Jonny says. “She's just got a couple of pet sheep for her birthday. She loves feeding the calves, playing in mud puddles and whatever else.”

Dolphenby is part of First Milk, a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative.

It’s B Corp certified – a designation that indicates a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors ranging from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.

As far as First Milk itself is concerned, B Corp certification reflects its commitment to sustainability, regenerative agriculture and using business as a force for