Somerset-based dairy producer Tom Parker Creamery has announced a new partnership with British farmer-owned co-operative First Milk, in a move designed to strengthen regenerative farming practices and support a more sustainable dairy supply chain.
The partnership brings together two businesses with aligned ambitions around regenerative agriculture, environmental stewardship and long-term rural resilience.
Through the agreement, Tom Parker Creamery will source regeneratively farmed milk from First Milk members located within a 90-mile radius of its Wincanton creamery.
The collaboration supports Tom Parker Creamery’s wider strategy to scale its operations sustainably while maintaining a strong focus on animal welfare, traceability and low-impact production.
Rob Yates, CEO of Tom Parker Creamery, said: “The new partnership with First Milk allows us to support local British farms within a 90-mile radius of the creamery with a regeneratively farmed milk pool for the Tom Parker Creamery business.
“Our ethos has always been about producing the highest quality dairy products that are close to nature and sustain both people and planet. From the soil the grass grows in, to the welfare of the free-range cows, right through to the first sip from the glass bottle, our ambition is to minimise impact at every stage.
“First Milk shares that vision. Their regenerative approach supports a fully traceable supply chain, underpinned by a detailed field-level understanding of environmental impact and the adoption of nature-positive farming practices such as caring for hedgerows, rotational grazing, improving soil health and increasing plant diversity.
“Our partnership will allow us to scale sustainably, while continuing to balance profit with purpose.”
First Milk, a B Corp certified dairy co-operative owned by around 700 UK farming families, has positioned regenerative farming at the centre of its operating model. The co-operative’s approach focuses on improving soil health, reducing and storing carbon, protecting waterways and strengthening farming communities.
Farmers supplying Tom Parker Creamery through the partnership are committed to grazing-based dairy production, ensuring cows have regular access to pasture throughout as much of the year as weather conditions allow. Structured grazing data is also being captured across farmland to help measure environmental outcomes and support continuous improvement.
Fraser Brown, commercial director – Milk & Ingredients at First Milk, said: “We’re delighted to begin this partnership with Tom Parker Creamery, built on our shared commitment to responsible dairy.
“Everything we do starts with our farmer members, whose regenerative approach and dedication to farming with care make relationships like this possible and underpin long-term collaboration and commercial stability across the supply chain.
“Partnering with values-led brands like Tom Parker Creamery helps us showcase our members’ work and build wider understanding and engagement in regenerative dairy.”
Tom Parker Creamery said sustainability considerations extend throughout its production process, from sourcing to packaging.
Milk is pasteurised on site but not standardised, meaning cream is not removed from the milk during processing. The company says this preserves the product’s natural nutritional profile and supports demand for minimally processed dairy products.
Its range of flavoured milk drinks and creams uses natural ingredients, including fruit purées, cacao and coffee, reflecting growing consumer interest in clean-label food and beverage products.
The business also continues to package its products in recyclable, resealable glass bottles with paper labels as part of its plastic-free strategy. The packaging format references the company’s heritage, which dates back to 1921 when founder Tom Parker delivered milk locally by horse and cart.
Today, Tom Parker Creamery works with British family farms and sources free-range milk from mixed-breed, grass-fed herds located close to the dairy.
The partnership with First Milk further reinforces both companies’ commitment to building a resilient dairy sector centred on regenerative agriculture, transparency and environmentally responsible production.
