United Fresh announces Bill Pool as 2015 Technical Award winner

The United Fresh Produce Association will be presenting the 2015 United Fresh Technical Award at the Opening General Session of the 2015 United Fresh Convention on June 9 in Chicago. This award is presented to an individual who has made significant technical contributions to the fresh produce industry.

United is pleased to announce Bill Pool, manager for produce safety at Wegmans’ Food Markets, Rochester, New York, as the 2015 Technical Award recipient.

Bill earned a B.S. in Food Administration (1970) and an M.S. in Service Management (1996) from the Rochester Institute of Technology. In 1973, Bill joined Wegmans’ consumer affairs department. Over a span of 25 years, Bill was responsible for food safety and regulatory compliance in all of Wegmans’ retail food stores. He also was involved with Wegmans’ program to increase grower adoption of IPM practices and marketing of fresh products grown with documented IPM practices.

Bill transitioned to Wegmans’ produce team in June 1998, where he worked with employees, buyers and suppliers to understand and identify best growing and best post-harvest handling practices. He is currently involved in Wegmans’ efforts to move local growers toward greater implementation of GAPs.

“Bill is an icon of the United Fresh Food Safety & Technology Council where his wisdom and reasonable approach have been critical to the success of many produce food safety initiatives the Council has driven for the industry,” said David Gomabs, United Fresh’s senior vice president of food safety and technology. “As an advocate of food safety practices at all stages of the supply chain long before the need was generally recognized, Bill has more than earned this recognition. I personally thank him for his dedication and contributions to the fresh produce industry. ”

For more information, visit United’s website.