A Somerset cheesemaker with nearly 200 years of heritage is continuing to grow its seven-year partnership with Aldi, with listings across the UK, US and Australia.
The Barber family has been dairy farming at Maryland Farm in Ditcheat since 1833, making it the oldest surviving cheddar maker in the world. What began with one man producing cheese for his family and farm workers has grown into a seventh-generation business, now supplying Aldi customers across the UK and beyond.
Today, Barber’s works with nearly 150 farms across Somerset and Dorset. All cows are grass fed and, last year, spent an average of 223 days out at pasture. The cheesemaker says supporting cows to express natural behaviours is central to its approach, and earlier this year Barber’s farms became completely soya free.
The business adds that caring for the land is as important as caring for the herd, with a focus on encouraging wildlife and improving soil health to help produce high-quality milk. Its tailored support helps more than 75% of partner farms achieve Red Tractor accreditation first time, well above the UK average.
Barber’s cheeses have been on Aldi’s shelves since 2019, with the range expanding over time to include a mix of everyday and seasonal varieties. Today, the business supplies favourites such as Cheddar, Red Leicester and Wensleydale, with additional lines also available in Aldi stores in Australia and the US.
Working with Aldi has given Barber’s the opportunity to explore new flavour combinations, developing bespoke products that have proved popular with shoppers. Alongside its traditional range, this includes more unusual varieties such as festive Wensleydale Ballycastle with White Chocolate and Caramel, and Cheddar and Pineapple.
Simon O’Brien, Head of UK Sales at Barber’s, said: “I’m incredibly proud to be working with Aldi and of the products we’ve created together. Having products on their shelves is a huge achievement for us.
“That success is built on our farming-first approach, working with nearly 150 farms across Somerset and Dorset. All our herds are grass-fed and spent an average of 223 days grazing outdoors last year, and our switch to completely soya-free feed across supplying farms earlier this year.”
Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK, said: “Barber’s is a fantastic example of a long-standing British producer combining such strong heritage with a flair for developing new flavours. As the world’s oldest cheddar maker, their commitment to quality and close relationships with local farmers really sets them apart.”
