Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing

NAICS Category 311423 - Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing encompasses the production of dried and dehydrated food products through processes such as dehydration, freeze-drying, and other moisture-removal techniques. This category includes manufacturers who transform fresh agricultural commodities like fruits, vegetables, meats, and potatoes into shelf-stable, lightweight food products. The manufactured goods are utilized across various sectors, including government food assistance programs, emergency preparedness, military rations, and commercial food markets.

Federal contract awards in this NAICS category predominantly involve the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Commodity Procurement Program, which procures dried and dehydrated food products for domestic food assistance initiatives. Award values range from approximately $50,000 to $18.9 million, with contract durations typically spanning three to twelve months. Frequently awarded entities include Stutz Packing Company, Basic American Foods, Sun Valley Raisins, Victor Packing, and OFD Foods. Most contracts are firm-fixed-price and often feature small business set-asides, including total and partial small business designations, service-disabled veteran-owned, and women-owned small business categories. Performance locations are primarily in California and other agricultural states, with delivery destinations across the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.

Recent federal contract opportunities focus on procuring specific dried and dehydrated food products for government programs, particularly the National School Lunch Program and emergency preparedness initiatives. Solicitations typically request products such as dehydrated potato flakes, dried plums, dried cherries, cranberries, raisins, and mixed fruit and nut products. Agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Transportation Security Administration, and Department of Defense are seeking these products. The opportunities emphasize strict requirements including 100% U.S. origin, specific packaging specifications, and delivery to multiple locations nationwide. Most solicitations are set for delivery between January and July 2025, with electronic bid submissions required through the USDA Web-Based Supply Chain Management system.