Specialist local dairy supplier to delis and cafes

Delis, farm shops, gastropubs, restaurants, independent cafes and hotels that want local or specialist dairy.

You earn a margin on each product, or a commission from the producer. Mixed orders and regular standing orders from several customers help cover storage and delivery costs.

• Knowledge of cheese and dairy products
• Sales and relationship building
• Organising orders and stock rotation
• Careful food hygiene habits

• Approval or registration for handling products of animal origin: check with your local council and the Food Standards Agency
• Cold chain control, labelling, shelf life and traceability records
• Cost of chilled storage and a refrigerated vehicle, plus public liability and goods-in-transit insurance; a used or leased van and second-hand chillers can lower the upfront cost
• Agree who carries the risk of waste and returns with each producer
• Unit rent and energy costs can be high compared with early sales

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £25,000 to £90,000, depending on your unit, chilled storage and vehicle. A used or leased van and second-hand chillers can lower the upfront cost. Monthly revenue is estimated at around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on customers and range.

Check approval or registration for handling products of animal origin with your local council and the Food Standards Agency. Also check cold chain control, labelling, shelf life and traceability records, plus public liability and goods-in-transit insurance.

The estimates start at around 15 hours a week. Useful skills include knowledge of cheese and dairy, sales, organising orders, stock rotation and food hygiene. Agree who carries the risk of waste and returns with each producer.