Co-op names its rising star

The Co-operative Food has named Lucy Mason as its Rising Star of The Year.

Mason, 29, from Hereford, picked up the award at The Co-operative’s Good With Food Awards, which celebrate the great work of individuals and teams across The Co-operative’s food business over the past 12 months. She is the only woman enrolled on The Co-operative Farms’ fresh produce graduate scheme and was voted for by her colleagues in recognition of the enthusiasm and motivation she brings to the role. She studied Rural Enterprise and Land Management at Harper Adams University College in Shropshire.

The Co-operative Farms is Britain’s largest farmer and its graduate scheme, which lasts for two years, gives graduates the chance to try their hand at a variety of different placements within the farming business.

As part of the scheme, Lucy has spent time working at The Co-operative’s fruit farm in Blairgowrie, the Group’s head office in Manchester as part of the technical team and is on a placement at The Co-operative’s farm in Coldham, which grows a variety of crops including onions, broccoli, sugar beet, wheat and rape seed. It is also home to The Co-operative’s windfarm.

She said: “The Co-operative Farms is Britain’s largest farmer so the graduate scheme I’m on is one of the best on offer and I’m enjoying every minute of it. But The Rising Star award is simply the icing on the cake and I would like to thank all the people that I’ve worked with for providing me with such great opportunities and support.”