The Hungry Caterpillar opened as a Greengrocers on the 1st December 2010.

We are a family owned and run business, based in the North West Durham village of Dipton.

In 2012 we were approached by Post Office Ltd to ask if we would be willing to incorporate a Post Office Local within our store.  After a lengthy application/interview process, a shop refurbishment and training we opened our doors on the 17th October 2013 as the Dipton's new Post Office.

We try to ensure the best possible quality, value and freshness of our fruit and vegetable stock, by picking, choosing, and collecting it ourselves from the regional wholesalers.  We endeavour to buy local produce when it is physically possible.

We pride ourselves in the fact that we chose to stay open all during the Covid 19 lockdowns, despite the fact all of us had vulnerable people at home. We just felt it would have made the situation even worse for our community, forcing them to travel further afield for the vital services we provide.