Hunt's Food Group
Hunt's Food Group is a fifth-generation, family-owned UK food wholesaler and producer serving more than 6,000 business customers across the South of England with 10,000+ branded and own-brand products via a seven-depot, 140-vehicle distribution network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1912
- HeadquartersSherborne, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Hunt's Food Group does
Hunt's Food Group is a fifth-generation, family-owned UK food wholesaler and producer headquartered in Sherborne, Dorset, serving more than 6,000 registered business customers across the South of England from seven strategically placed distribution depots in Dorset, Somerset, Cornwall and Hampshire. The group distributes more than 10,000 branded and own-brand food, drink and catering products five days a week via a 140+ vehicle fleet using advanced route-optimisation software and Voiteq voice-directed warehouse picking, with a B2B e-commerce platform and telesales call centre as the order intake channels.
Revenue is generated through five integrated pillars — Storage, Farming, Production, Wholesale and Retail — spanning own-brand production (Thorner's butchery and pies at Pylle, Capreolus charcuterie at Rampisham, Black Rock pasties/cookies/traybakes, Gourmade ready meals, Queenswood natural foods, Hunt's ice cream, and the Chefs' Selections by Caterforce range), two farming estates (Blackmarsh Farm, Charcroft Farm), cold storage, B2B wholesale distribution, and a small consumer retail footprint (Hunt's Food Hall, Farm Shop at Thorner's, The Den). Pricing is catalogue-based with card or BACS prepayment unless a credit account has been approved, and revenue is complemented by contracted distribution services for partners such as Yeo Direct, Trewithen Dairy and Glastonbury Festival plus an in-house vehicle workshop (HFG Commercials).
The business traces to 1912, was rebrand-ed from Hunt's Foodservice to Hunt's Food Group in 2022 on crossing £100M turnover, is B Corp certified (the second UK food wholesaler to do so), and holds BRCGS A Grade, ISO 45001, SALSA, Red Tractor, Soil Association Organic and RSPCA Assured certifications across its certified sites.
Hunt's Food Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hunt's Food Group
- Legal name
- Hunt's Food Group Limited
- Website
- https://huntsfoodgroup.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1912
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Hunt's Food Group is a fifth-generation, family-owned UK food wholesaler and producer serving more than 6,000 business customers across the South of England with 10,000+ branded and own-brand products via a seven-depot, 140-vehicle distribution network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hunt's Food Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wholesale Food Distribution
- NAICS
- Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers (42445), Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520), Meat and Meat Product Merchant Wholesalers (424470), Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (42446)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140), Bakery Products (2050), Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024), Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pastry, Cakes & Desserts Wholesale (AFAIAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts Wholesale (AFAIAHAC), Butcher Shops & Meat Markets (CRAHAHAB), Farmstead & Local Artisan Food Markets (Retail Shops) (CRAHAGAO), Wholesale / Commercial Bakeries (B2B Supply) (THAFAFAF)
Keywords
Where Hunt's Food Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sherborne
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Hunt's Food Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- B2B Wholesale Food & Drink Distribution: Core revenue stream: wholesale supply of 10,000+ branded and own-brand food, drink and catering products to 6,000+ registered business customers across the South of England, delivered five days a week from regional depots. Prices subject to change; payment by card, BACS or approved credit account.
- Own-Brand Production & Sales: Manufacture and sale of own-brand products including Thorner's pies and burgers, Capreolus charcuterie and bacon (Rampisham), Black Rock pasties/sausage rolls/cookies/traybakes, Gourmade premium ready meals, Chefs' Selections by Caterforce, Queenswood natural foods, Hunt's ice cream, and the Black Rock water line.
- Retail Store Sales: Revenue from company-owned retail locations: The Farm Shop at Thorner's in Pylle, Hunt's Food Hall in Sherborne, and The Den in Pylle, plus the Farmyard Kitchen at Blackmarsh Farm and Digby Road supermarket.
- Cold Storage & Contract Distribution Services: Third-party public cold store services (e.g., Stalbridge) and on-site wholesale/distribution for partners such as Glastonbury Festival, Trewithen Dairy and Yeo Direct/Yeo Valley distribution.
- Vehicle Workshop Servicing (HFG Commercials): Aftersales HGV and LCV maintenance and MOT servicing via HFG Commercials (formerly SMV Commercials), a MAN dealer in Yeovil, including discounted colleague MOTs at £35+VAT.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Trade/B2B wholesale catalogue pricing |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Online shop for registered B2B customers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Hunt's Food Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hunt's Food Group is a fifth-generation, family-owned B2B wholesale distributor supplying more than 10,000 food, drink, catering and cleaning products to over 6,000 registered business customers across the South of England, delivered five days a week from seven strategically placed depots in Dorset, Somerset, Cornwall and Hampshire. The group also operates a vertically integrated five-pillar model spanning farming (Blackmarsh Farm, Charcroft Farm), in-house production of own-brand ranges (Thorner's, Capreolus, Black Rock, Gourmade, Queenswood, Chefs' Selections by Caterforce, Hunt's ice cream), cold storage, wholesale distribution, and own-brand retail stores (Hunt's Food Hall, Farm Shop at Thorner's, The Den).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Thorner's (of Somerset): Butchery, pies and premium meat products brand; sold via Hunt's wholesale and at The Farm Shop at Thorner's in Pylle.
- Capreolus Fine Foods
- Queenswood
- Black Rock
- Gourmade
- Chefs' Selections by Caterforce
- Cornish Connection
- Something For Supper
- HFG Commercials
- Blackmarsh Farm
Products and services
- B2B Wholesale Food & Drink Distribution
Quantifiable outcome
- Over £881,503.08 given to charity partners over the last 3 years, approaching a £1 million cumulative milestone
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Hunt's Food Group
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Hunt's Food Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Hunt's Food Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered supplier (recall incident), core local partner, core event partner, core community partner, major community partner, core distribution partner, flagship community and sustainability partner, flagship community partner, core operational partner (now wholly owned), flagship on-site wholesale client and founding industry group membership.
- GoodLife (Warrens / GoodLife Foods)supplier (recall incident)Supplier relationship; GoodLife recalled its Spicy Bean Burger 113g 4 pack (BBF 28/07/26, batch L6030) on 29/04/2026. Hunt's communicated recall steps to its customers.
- Moma Foodssupplier (recall incident)Supplier relationship; Moma Foods recalled four varieties of flavoured porridge oats on 24/03/2026 due to contamination identified at a third-party manufacturing site (Mice Activity). Hunt's communicated the recall to customers and provided FSA notices.
- Yeovil Collegecore local partnerHunt's actively supports Yeovil College by providing opportunities for students and nurturing local talent.
- Sherborne Golf Clubcore event partnerHunt's organises the annual Charity Golf Day at Sherborne Golf Club as a key fundraising event for local causes.
- Sherborne Food Bankcore community partnerLong-term collaboration; £13,505 raised for Sherborne Food Bank at the 2024 Charity Golf Day, plus ongoing food donations.
- St Peter's Community Centre, Yeovilmajor community partnerFunding partnership supporting food resilience projects including a donation-based food hub providing hot, healthy meals. Centre Manager Marie is featured in a testimonial about the value of the partnership.
- The Balsam Centremajor community partnerOngoing partnership funding practitioners to support neurodiverse youth with very specific support needs. Chief Executive Sue is featured in a testimonial.
- The Rendezvous, Sherbornemajor community partnerProvides generous support and food donations to a Sherborne support centre for young people navigating difficult life challenges. Chief Executive Helen is featured in a testimonial.
- Countrymenmajor community partnerThree-year funding from Hunt's enabled Countrymen to employ a manager, helping men facing Parkinson's, dementia or isolation get back into community life. Director Julie is featured in a testimonial.
- Trewithen Dairycore distribution partnerTook on local distribution for Trewithen Dairy in 2023.
- Devon and Cornwall Food Actionflagship community and sustainability partnerVital ongoing partnership addressing food poverty in the South West. Hunt's delivers daily volumes of chilled and frozen short-dated products to the charity that would otherwise be disposed of. Chairman Alan is featured as a partner testimonial.
- Somerset Community Foundationflagship community partnerLong-term sustainable funding partnership; Hunt's has contributed £300,000 over three years to the Foundation to strengthen communities through partnerships with individuals, businesses and public sector entities. Philanthropy Director Laura is featured in a testimonial about flexible, trust-based support.
- Yeo Direct (Yeo Valley distribution arm)core distribution partnerTook on Yeo Direct, the distribution arm of Yeo Valley, in 2016.
- SMV Commercials (now HFG Commercials)core operational partner (now wholly owned)Long-standing MAN dealer in Yeovil maintaining Hunt's fleet since 2015; purchased by Hunt's in 2025 and rebranded HFG Commercials in 2026, focusing on aftersales HGV and LCV maintenance.
- Glastonbury Festivalflagship on-site wholesale clientFor the first time in 2013, Hunt's provided on-site wholesale and distribution services to Glastonbury Festival.
- Caterforce (formerly The Independent Frozen Food Federation)founding industry group membershipHunt's Frozen Foods was a founding member of The Independent Frozen Food Federation in 1991, which rebranded as Caterforce in 1999. Own-brand range 'Chefs' Selections by Caterforce' reflects this long-standing buying group relationship.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves15 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hunt's Food Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Booker Group: UK's largest foodservice and retail wholesale operator, owned by Tesco. Directly comparable as a broadline B2B food and drink wholesaler, but operates nationwide at materially larger scale than Hunt's regional South-of-England network.
- Bidfood: UK foodservice wholesaler (Bidcorp subsidiary) serving hospitality, healthcare, education and leisure from a national depot network. Closest scale-comparable to Hunt's across the same vertical customer segments, but with nationwide reach Hunt's lacks.
- Brakes Group: Sysco-owned UK foodservice distributor with nationwide depot coverage and broad branded and own-brand ranges. Competes head-on with Hunt's in hospitality, healthcare and education accounts at national scale.
- Musgrave Group: Ireland-headquartered wholesale and retail food group (operating Mace, SuperValu and foodservice brands). Comparable as a multi-generational, family-influenced wholesale/foodservice operator with own-brand manufacturing.
- Bakkavor Group: UK-listed fresh prepared food manufacturer supplying retailers and foodservice with own-label products. Comparable to Hunt's own-brand production pillar (Thorner's, Capreolus, Black Rock, Gourmade) at materially larger scale.
- Cranswick plc: UK food producer focused on pork, gourmet products and ready meals. Comparable as a vertically integrated UK food producer with own-label manufacturing for retail and foodservice channels, similar to Hunt's Thorner's/Capreolus/Gourmade lines.
- 3663 (Bidfood 3663): UK foodservice wholesaler specialising in hospitality and catering supply. Overlaps directly with Hunt's hospitality, healthcare and leisure customer segments via a broader national depot and range offering.
Direct peers
- JJ Foodservice: UK foodservice wholesaler with strong own-brand ranges and an online ordering platform. Highly comparable GTM motion to Hunt's (B2B e-commerce, broadline SKUs, own-brand production), though more nationally distributed.
- Caterforce: UK foodservice buying group of which Hunt's is a founding member (1991). Hunt's 'Chefs' Selections by Caterforce' own-brand is co-developed with Caterforce, making it a direct partner and peer for foodservice procurement and own-brand ranges.
Regional players
- Countrywide Caterers: UK regional food and consumables distributor with comparable B2B wholesale and depot-based distribution model. Useful peer for benchmarking regional depot economics and customer mix.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hunt's Food Group social profiles
Digital presenceHunt's Food Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hunt's Food Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Hunt's Food Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries11 records
Hunt's Food Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hunt's Food Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hunt's Food Group
What does Hunt's Food Group do?
Hunt's Food Group is a fifth-generation, family-owned B2B wholesale distributor supplying more than 10,000 food, drink, catering and cleaning products to over 6,000 registered business customers across the South of England, delivered five days a week from seven strategically placed depots in Dorset, Somerset, Cornwall and Hampshire. The group also operates a vertically integrated five-pillar model spanning farming (Blackmarsh Farm, Charcroft Farm), in-house production of own-brand ranges (Thorner's, Capreolus, Black Rock, Gourmade, Queenswood, Chefs' Selections by Caterforce, Hunt's ice cream), cold storage, wholesale distribution, and own-brand retail stores (Hunt's Food Hall, Farm Shop at Thorner's, The Den).
Is Hunt's Food Group a public or private company?
Hunt's Food Group is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Hunt's Food Group founded?
Hunt's Food Group was founded in 1912. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Hunt's Food Group based?
Hunt's Food Group is headquartered in Sherborne, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Hunt's Food Group make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. B2B Wholesale Food & Drink Distribution is the primary driver. The others are own-Brand Production & Sales, retail Store Sales, cold Storage & Contract Distribution Services and vehicle Workshop Servicing (HFG Commercials).
Who are Hunt's Food Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Booker Group, Bidfood, Brakes Group, Musgrave Group, Bakkavor Group, Cranswick plc and 3663 (Bidfood 3663). Direct peers are JJ Foodservice and Caterforce. Countrywide Caterers is listed as a regional player.
Does Hunt's Food Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hunt's Food Group.
What industry is Hunt's Food Group in?
Hunt's Food Group's product category is Wholesale Food Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAIAFAB, Pastry, Cakes & Desserts Wholesale, with a secondary code of AFAIAHAC, Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts Wholesale. Its NAICS code is 42445 and its SIC code is 5140.