Forest Produce

What Forest Produce does

Forest Produce is a privately-held, UK-based B2B foodservice distributor founded in 2003 and headquartered at Hitchcocks Business Park, Uffculme, Devon. The company supplies specialist ingredients, fine foods, fresh produce, kitchen essentials, and eco-friendly non-food supplies to professional chefs, restaurants, hotels, pubs, and catering operations across the South West of England (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset). Its portfolio spans multiple chef-facing categories — starters and antipasti, bakery, mains and protein, specialty ingredients, desserts, cheese and accompaniments, bar/beverage, and kitchen cleaning supplies — and is anchored by an in-house label, Forest Originals, for dry pantry staples. The proprietary side of the stack is intentionally lean: ordering is delivered through a mobile app built on the Choco B2B platform (live chat, lead-time checks, team management, push notifications for specials), logistics is managed via Podfather route optimization, and delivery is operated on a 6-days-a-week schedule by a fleet that includes at least one electric van.

The business model is predominantly transaction-based B2B supply with an account-management overlay. The vast majority of revenue comes from specialist ingredient and kitchen supply sales to chefs, supplemented by subscription-style standing orders on the Triple 8 Eco Cleaning range (5% standing-order discount). Pricing is quote-driven via account managers, with a minimum order value increasing to £75 from 6 April 2026, special-order lines requiring mid-Tuesday ordering for Friday delivery, and sample-led selling to drive trial. Go-to-market combines direct field sales, the Choco-powered self-serve app, content marketing (supplier spotlights, menu support, recipes) across the website and social channels, and a presence at regional trade events such as The Source Tradeshow in Exeter. Ownership is founder-controlled (Tony and Caroline Quick) with no disclosed external funding, and the company has remained a regionally bounded, owner-operated foodservice specialist.

Name

Forest Produce

Legal name

Forest Produce Limited

Website

https://forestproduce.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forest Produce is a UK B2B foodservice distributor that supplies specialist ingredients, fresh produce, and kitchen essentials to chefs, restaurants, hotels, pubs, and caterers across the South West of England, delivering six days a week via its own fleet.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Uffculme

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Foodservice Ingredient Sales: Forest Produce generates revenue through direct B2B sales of specialist ingredients, fine foods, chef essentials, fresh fruits and vegetables to chefs and hospitality businesses in the South West of England. Sales are transaction-based with recurring orders from established accounts.
2. Cleaning & Kitchen Supplies: Sale of eco-friendly cleaning products (Triple 8 range) and kitchen supplies alongside food orders, providing one-stop-shop convenience for chefs with combined deliveries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Forest Produce is a B2B foodservice supplier delivering specialist ingredients, fresh produce, artisan bakery, seafood, game, cheeses, desserts, beverages and kitchen essentials to professional chefs and hospitality businesses across the South West of England. The company distributes third-party supplier brands alongside its in-house Forest Originals label and Triple 8 Eco Cleaning range, delivering 6 days a week through its own fleet and supporting orders through the Choco mobile app and account managers.

Product overview

Forest Produce is a foodservice supplier offering a comprehensive portfolio of specialist ingredients and chef essentials to the hospitality industry across the South West of England. Their product offering spans multiple categories: fresh produce through the Field to Forest range, specialty ingredients (truffles, caviar, exotic spices), artisan bakery products (Millers Bakery breads, premium flours), proteins (Seahawk seafood, Vicars Game, heritage meats), desserts (Callestick Farm ice cream, premium frozen desserts), cheese and accompaniments (Godminster cheddar, Global Harvest membrillos), beverages (Squish juices, Navas mixers), and non-food kitchen supplies (Triple 8 Eco Cleaning). They also operate an in-house brand, Forest Originals, for essential dry goods and pantry staples. The primary digital interface is the Forest Produce Ordering App, built on the Choco platform, enabling chefs to place orders, manage teams, and communicate with the sales team.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Forest Originals: In-house label for premium chef-approved dry goods including rice, quinoa, grains, and pantry staples, rebagged with recyclable packaging.
• Forest Originals

Products and services

• Field to Forest Fresh Range Fresh produce line sourced from local growers and specialist suppliers (Good Earth Growers micro herbs, Amalfi lemons, seasonal local produce) delivered 6 days a week to professional kitchens across the South West.
• Starters & Antipasti Range Specialty antipasti products including olives, marinated vegetables and Italian imports from suppliers like Sapori D'Italia (Kalamata and Nocellara olives, pestos, vegan pesto) for chef menu starters.
• Bakery Range Artisan breads from Millers Bakery including French glazed buns, brioche buns, bloomers, lateral sliced breads, baguettes and bagels for professional kitchens.
• Mains & Protein Range Premium seafood from Seahawk (IQF King Scallops, lobster tails, octopus tentacles, squid, prawns, fish cakes) and game from Vicars Game (oven-ready birds, wild rabbit, hare, premium venison cuts, pork and specialty sausages).
• Specialty Ingredients Range Truffles and specialty ingredients including Urbani Tartufi (white truffle oil, truffle carpaccio, truffle honey, dried mushrooms), Exmoor Caviar and rare spices from Terre Exotique.
• Desserts Range Premium desserts including a frozen Premium Desserts Collection (Chocolate Nougat Secret, Baked Pear Tart, Apple Tart Tatin, Foret Noire, Tarte Au Citron, Burnt Basque Cheesecake, Sticky Toffee Pudding), Callestick Farm Cornish ice cream and Valrhona chocolate.
• Cheeseboard Range Artisan cheeses including Godminster organic cheddar made from Somerset pasture-raised cows, accompanied by Global Harvest membrillos (quince, damson, fig, pear, rhubarb, bitter orange, spiced apple, date).
• Behind the Bar (Beverages) Beverages for chefs and bar teams including Squish cold-pressed juices (trusted by 50+ Michelin-starred venues), Navas Drinks fresh mixers and tonics, and Lo Bros kombucha.
• Forest Originals (Kitchen Essentials) In-house Forest Originals label of premium chef-approved kitchen essentials covering dry goods (sushi rice, basmati rice, quinoa, grains, legumes, chickpeas, lentils, polenta, pine nuts) and handmade chutneys and relishes, packaged in fully recyclable packaging for professional kitchens.
• Non-Food / Triple 8 Eco Cleaning Supplies Eco-friendly Triple 8 Eco Cleaning range for professional kitchens including sanitisers, dishwashing products, degreasers and supporting hygiene supplies (gloves, cloths, blue roll), available on monthly standing orders with a 5% discount and combined deliveries with food orders.
• Forest Produce Ordering App Mobile ordering app built on the Choco platform that lets chefs place orders, manage team access for multi-user ordering, check lead times on special-order products, view past order history, schedule deliveries, send checkout notes and receive push notifications for daily specials and fresh fish lists, with live chat to the sales team.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50 Michelin-starred venues trust Squish Cold-Pressed Juices (a stocked brand)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PodfathercoreTechnology or IntegrationForest Produce uses Podfather, a system designed to optimise delivery routes and ensure the quickest, most fuel-efficient journeys. This partnership helps reduce their carbon footprint and improve delivery efficiency.
• ChococoreTechnology or IntegrationForest Produce has partnered with Choco to power their mobile ordering app, enabling chefs to place orders quickly, manage team access, view past orders, and receive push notifications for daily specials.
• Ginger Cat DelicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevon-based producer of handmade pies, pasties, sausage rolls and quiches, stocked frozen for kitchen convenience. Forest Produce serves as distributor for this local supplier discovered at The Source Tradeshow.
• Callestick FarmcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCornwall-based ice cream producer supplying premium ice cream and sorbets made from fresh milk from their own herd. Forest Produce distributes their range across the South West.
• SeahawkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of the UK's leading frozen seafood suppliers for professional kitchens. Forest Produce introduced Seahawk's premium frozen seafood range (king scallops, lobster tails, prawns, octopus, squid, soft shell crab) to chefs across the South West.
• Vicars GamecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium game and venison supplier offering exceptional butchery and quality. Forest Produce partnered to bring Vicars Game products to South West chefs, featuring venison, game birds, wild rabbit, and bespoke cuts.
• GodminstercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSomerset-based organic cheese producer known for rich, creamy cheddar made from organic milk. Forest Produce stocks their organic cheddar range.
• Good Earth GrowersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal growers who grow everything naturally and organically, supplying micro herbs and flowers to Forest Produce.
• Terre ExotiquecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded in 1998, Terre Exotique sources rare and exceptional spices, herbs, salts, and peppers globally. They use a hybrid-powered sailboat for sustainable transport. Forest Produce stocks their full range.
• Urbani TartuficoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded in 1852, Urbani Tartufi is one of the oldest truffle businesses globally, six generations of experience. Italian company supplying premium truffles, truffle oils, and mushroom products. Forest Produce stocks their range.
• Matthews Cotswold FlourcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor100 years of milling know-how producing flours with distinctive flavour from carefully selected heritage grains. Forest Produce stocks their full flour range.
• Millers BakerycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArtisan bakery producing high-quality bread including burger buns, loaves, baguettes, and bagels. Forest Produce now stocks their full artisan bread range.
• Sosa IngredientscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpanish culinary ingredients supplier known for texturizers, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and dehydrated ingredients. Sosa brings innovative products to help chefs create advanced culinary techniques.
• Redefine MeatcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPlant-based meat alternative producer creating products that look, cook, and eat like meat. Range includes burgers, pulled beef, lamb kebabs. Forest Produce stocks their plant-based range.
• Squish JuicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCold-pressed juice producer trusted by over 50 Michelin-starred venues. Forest Produce stocks their full range with delivery 6 days a week. Special order lines available for Friday delivery.
• BonemasterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium stocks, broths, sauces, and the new Kitchen Classics Range (Chicken and Veal Demi Glaces). Bonemasters products are stocked by Forest Produce with recipe support from top chefs.
• Safe Serve FlagsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFood allergy flags helping kitchens identify dietary requirements during service. Forest Produce stocks Safe Serve Flags starter kits and refill packs.
• Triple 8 Eco CleaningcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEco-friendly cleaning range for professional kitchens including sanitisers, degreasers, and supporting supplies. Forest Produce offers 5% discount on monthly standing orders.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Caterforce: Group of independent regional foodservice wholesalers pooling procurement and marketing. Comparable in mission and customer base, but operates via a federated model with multiple member distributors across the UK rather than a single regional player like Forest Produce.
• Classic Fine Foods: Specialist premium foodservice distributor focused on fine foods, truffles, caviar, and gourmet ingredients for top restaurants and hotels. Closely aligned with Forest Produce's premium/specialty positioning and chef-focused customer base, though operating at a wider geographic and international scale.
• Henderson Foodservice: Family-owned foodservice wholesaler serving Northern Ireland and Ireland with multi-temperature delivery. Comparable founder-led, regional foodservice distribution model with similar customer segments, though operating in a different UK territory.
• Creed Foodservice: Family-owned regional foodservice wholesaler with strong personal service ethos, supplying caterers, hotels, and restaurants. Highly comparable in operating model and customer profile, particularly in its emphasis on account management and specialty range, though serving a different UK region.

Regional players

• Turner Price: Foodservice wholesaler serving East Midlands and East Anglia with multi-temperature deliveries to restaurants, hotels, and caterers. Comparable in family-owned regional foodservice distribution model, though geographically separate from Forest Produce's South West footprint.
• Country Range Group: Group brand of independent foodservice wholesalers supplying pubs, restaurants, and care homes across the UK. Comparable customer base and broad-line foodservice model, but primarily a brand/marketing consortium rather than a direct local distribution competitor to Forest Produce.
• Blakemore Foodservice: Foodservice arm of A.F. Blakemore, supplying hospitality operators across the West Midlands and Wales. Comparable in being a multi-category foodservice distributor with own-brand ranges, but serving a different UK region than Forest Produce.

Broad incumbents

• Bidvest Foodservice: Major UK foodservice distributor serving pubs, restaurants, and hospitality operators nationwide. Operates the same broad-line foodservice model as Forest Produce, with overlapping product categories including fresh, frozen, and ambient.
• JJ Foodservice: National foodservice wholesaler delivering to restaurants, takeaways, and caterers across the UK. Comparable in core business model (multi-category B2B foodservice distribution), though JJ operates at significantly greater scale and a broader geographic footprint.
• Brakes Group: The UK's largest foodservice wholesaler serving restaurants, hotels, and pubs nationwide. While much larger and broader in assortment than Forest Produce, Brakes competes in the same B2B foodservice distribution space and offers an overlapping customer base in the South West.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/forestproducedevon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forest-produce-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/forest_produce/?hl=en
• Xx.com/ForestProduce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Forest Produce