HISTORY
1942
Andrew Warren came to Coombe Farm – started various enterprises including Farmhouse Cheese Making
1952
Nancy Ralphs (Chairman today) joins Coombe Farm
1976
Coombe Farm Foods launched as a new company set up to develop dairy trading and investment opportunities.
1977
Coombe Farm cheese listed in Waitrose & Safeway
1978
1980
Philip Cook (MD today) joins Coombe Farm Foods.
1981
Philip Cook becomes MD of Yeo Valley Farms Production(yogurt).
1983
Andrew Warren dies. Nancy Ralphs becomes Chairman.
1986
A H Warren Trust formed. Philip Cook leaves Coombe Farm Foods to manage business interests of the newly formed AH Warren Trust.
1986-1989
AH Warren Trust business interests consolidated and restructured.
1990
Large scale cheese packing facility constructed to accommodate the increase in supermarket business.
1992
Lower Coombe Farm purchased to facilitate main Dairy Herd and Farming enterprise being relocated away from main food production site to Lower Coombe Farm. Coombe Farm supply Yeo Valley with all their conventional milk requirement.
1993
Coombe Farm start Fruit processing established using “Freeze flo” technology.
1994
Fruit processing extended & relocated to larger premises and “Cell Burst” technologies developed.
1995
Cheese packing ceased and premises used to relocate expanding fruit business and accommodate the major developments in Organic fruit.
1996
Coombe Farm supply
Yeo Valley with their Organic fruit preparations.
1997
Higher Burrow Farm part of the Coombe Farm Group is certified Organic.
1998
Coombe Farm commence dairy products development program for Waitrose.
1999
Barrington Court and East Lease part of the Coombe Farming Group begins conversion to organic status.
2000
Waitrose launch full dessert range prepared by Coombe Farm.
Coombe Farm commence supply of Waitrose own label English cheddar.
Manor Farm organic milk packed by Coombe Farm.
2001
Duchy Organic milk use Coombe Farm to pack their Organic milk.
Coombe Farm supply Waitrose with all of their own label English Cheddar.
Coombe Farm supply Waitrose with all of their own label organic Milk.
2002
2004
2005
Nancy Ralphs 75th birthday (53rd year at Coombe Farm).
Greencoombe and Hill Barn part of the Coombe Farm Group become fully organic, Broadstone Farm begins conversion to organic status.
2006
Cheese Factory Closes.
Marks Barn Farm part of the Coombe Farming Group begins conversion to organic status.
All Coombe Farming farms and farms supplying Coombe Farm milk pool convert to organic farming or are in conversion.
2007
Modern organic Yogurt Production facility commissioned in association with Yeo Valley.
