Wegman manager Bill Pool awarded UFPA 2015 Technical Award

Bill Pool, manager for produce safety at Wegman’s Food Markets in Rochester, New York, has earned the United Fresh Produce Association's (UFPA) 2015 Technical Award, the UFPA announced this week.

Pool will receive the award during the opening session of the 2015 United Fresh convention on Tuesday, June 9, in Chicago, Illinois.

“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,” Dr. David Gombas, United Fresh's senior vice president of food safety and technology, said. “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.”

Pool began his career at Wegman’s in 1973 in the consumer affairs department. He later became responsible for food safety and regulatory compliance in the company’s retail food stores. Pool was involved in Wegman’s program to increase grower adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and marketing of fresh products grown with documented IPM practices.

In June 1998, Pool joined Wegman’s produce team, where he worked with employees, buyers and suppliers on the best growing and post-harvest handling practices. He is currently involved in Wegman’s efforts to boost Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) usage among local growers.