Whether you favour a classic cappuccino or a caramel latte, most of us have probably enjoyed one of Nescafé’s frothy 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.
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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 good. It’s a recognition of its efforts to operate responsibly across its entire business.
At Dolphenby, this ethos shines through in its regenerative approach to farming.
Robert explains that over recent years they have sought to reflect the growing importance placed on soil health and the biodiversity in it, with less reliance on chemical fertilisers.
Jonny adds: “Where we’re located, we’re in a fantastic grass-growing area. It’s a really good climate for it as it’s usually quite damp, so it’s the perfect crop to grow.”
Robert credits much of their success to the relationship between First Milk and Nestlé, which has been having a positive effect on the farm for 21 years.
“That relationship is unique,” he says. “It’s a real partnership, which is brilliant, and it’s really well funded – they were quite happy to pay to help us move in a regenerative direction, which took a lot of the risk out of changing the business.
“Nestlé is really good at the people side of things too,” he adds. “It’s always looking for the next generation, looking after people in all its supply chains, and just making sure that no one is taken for granted.”
Robert himself comes from a long line of farmers. “I’m probably the fifth or sixth generation,” he says.
“My grandfather used to milk cows down in Sussex on the south coast, and then they moved up to Cumbria after the Second World War.
“We’re still on the same farm, although he came with about 18 or 20 cows, and now I think there’s close to 1,500 across three sites and lots of people involved.”
