Bill Pool, Wegmans Food Markets manager of produce safety, has been named the United Fresh Produce Association’s 2015 Technical Award recipient. The award is presented to an individual who has made significant technical contributions to the fresh produce industry.

“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,”Bill Pool David Gomabs, United Fresh’s senior vice president of food safety and technology, said in a press release. “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. ”

Pool earned a bachelor’s degree in food administration and a master’s degree in service management from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He began his career serving in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps 1970-73, auditing facilities providing food to the U.S. military. In this role, he also monitored compliance with contract requirements and performed sanitary audits on major commissary facilities.

In 1973, he joined Wegmans’ consumer affairs department. Over a span of 25 years, Pool was responsible for food safety and regulatory compliance in all Wegmans retail food stores. He also was involved with Wegmans’ program to increase grower adoption of integrated pest management practices and marketing of fresh products grown with documented IPM practices.

Pool 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.

The United Fresh Produce Association will present the award June 9 at the opening general session of the 2015 United Fresh convention in Chicago. Participation in the opening general session is available only to those attendees who have purchased United Fresh’s educational packages.

Co-located with FMI Connect 2015 and the International Floriculture Expo, United Fresh 2015 will bring together retail, fresh produce and floral leaders who are searching for unique products and looking to enhance relationships with valuable business partners.