Neal’s Yard Dairy Victim of Theft, Reaffirms Ethical Commitment to Producers

Update: On 30th October, we learned that the Metropolitan Police made an arrest in connection with the theft. We are grateful for the progress they have made, and we will continue to support their investigation in any way we can.

Original statement from Friday 25th October 2024:

Neal’s Yard Dairy, a leading distributor and retailer of British artisan cheese, has been the victim of a sophisticated fraud resulting in the loss of over £300,000 worth of clothbound Cheddar. The theft involved a fraudulent buyer posing as a legitimate wholesale distributor for a major French retailer, with the cheese delivered before the discovery of the fraudulent identity. Despite the significant financial blow, Neal’s Yard Dairy has honoured its commitment to its small-scale suppliers, having already paid the three artisan cheesemakers in full. The company is now taking steps to address the situation to ensure both its financial stability and the continued development of the British artisan cheese sector.

The stolen cheese comprised a total of over 22 tonnes (950 cheeses) of three artisan Cheddars, including Hafod Welsh Organic Cheddar, Westcombe Cheddar, and Pitchfork Cheddar. Between them, these cheeses have won numerous awards and are amongst the most sought-after artisan cheeses in the UK. The high monetary value of these cheeses likely made them a particular target for the thieves.

In its 45th year, Neal’s Yard Dairy has long emphasised its commitment to supporting the development of the British cheese industry, particularly of raw-milk and handmade cheeses made by small independent businesses. Part of this ethos is paying a fair price and paying on time, and despite the financial setback, the company has stood true to its values, with all three producers already paid in full for the cheese they have supplied.

Patrick Holden, who owns the farm where Hafod Cheddar is made, said “It might sound naïve to fall victim to a scam, but the truth is that the artisan cheese world is a place where trust is deeply embedded in all transactions. The breach of trust by this fraudulent customer is a violation of the atmosphere of good faith and respect that all of Neal’s Yard Dairy’s trading relationships have personified over the years. It’s a world where one’s word is one’s bond. It might have caused the company a setback, but the degree of trust that exists within our small industry as a whole is due in no small part to the ethos of Neal’s Yard Dairy’s founders.”

Tom Calver, a director of Westcombe Dairy, said, “we’re devastated that this fraud has targeted one of our most valued customers. Neal’s Yard Dairy is an absolute champion of British farmhouse cheese, and the fact is that they continued to put us, their supplier, first by ensuring that we were paid for the cheese, even in the darkest of times. The process of making that cheese started almost three years ago when we planted seeds for the animals’ feed in the ground. The amount of work that’s gone into nurturing the cows, emphasising best farming practice, and transforming the milk one batch at a time to produce the best possible cheese is beyond estimation. And for that to be stolen…it’s absolutely terrible.”

Todd Trethowan, owner of Trethowan’s Dairy, makers of Pitchfork Cheddar, added, “The way Neal’s Yard Dairy has handled this has only deepened my respect and admiration for them. Their 30-year relationship with us and many other producers is a rare and shining example of trust and integrity—a true force for good in business, retailer-producer relationships, and in life. I am proud to supply them and call them my friends.”

Neal’s Yard Dairy is currently working with local law enforcement and international authorities to identify the perpetrators of this fraud. While the cheese may never be recovered, our priority is to share openly what has happened and to prevent it from happening to other businesses.

We encourage customers to continue supporting us in the coming months by choosing our cheeses, knowing that every purchase helps sustain our commitment to the small-scale producers we champion.

Background: Based in London, Neal’s Yard Dairy is a leading distributor, wholesaler, and retailer, renowned for revitalising the market for British and Irish farm-made and artisan cheeses since the 1980s. The company works directly with farmers, plays an active industry role through its work with the Specialist Cheesemakers Association, and collaborates with government agencies to ensure the continued production of raw-milk and artisan cheeses, fostering growth and sustainability in the sector. For more information please contact info@nealsyarddairy.co.uk.