SBE: IFB for Purchase of IL Local Ground Beef

The State of Illinois, acting through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), awarded a contract to Harvester Meat Co for the procurement of locally sourced ground beef under Invitation for Bid B-51138, effective April 20, 2026 through June 30, 2026. The contract value is $113,950.00, representing one of three awards made through this competitive sealed bidding process. The ground beef is intended for distribution to Illinois schools participating in the National School Lunch Program, with all deliveries required to be made to a designated warehouse in Granite City, Illinois by June 15, 2026.

The ground beef specifications require 100 percent pure beef at an 85/15 fat ratio or leaner, USDA Choice or Prime grade, wet-aged, hormone-free, and frozen in 40-pound cases with vacuum-sealed packaging. All cattle must be raised on Illinois farms or ranches and processed at USDA-inspected or state-inspected facilities also located within Illinois. Pricing is firm on a per-pound basis and is inclusive of all costs including beef, processing, packaging, storage, and delivery. The vendor must comply with all federal and state food safety, sanitation, labeling, and inspection requirements, maintain product temperature at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below throughout transportation, and submit invoices within five business days of each delivery.