NIGP 38548: Fruits, Frozen

NIGP 38548 Fruits, Frozen is an Item code under which state and local governments procure individually quick frozen (IQF) berries, mixed frozen produce, and specialty frozen fruit products for institutional food service—primarily school nutrition programs, state hospitals and supported living centers, correctional facilities, and child care centers. Recent opportunities span Texas Health and Human Services Commission IFBs for frozen fruits and mixed vegetables at state-supported living centers and hospitals; school district solicitations for frozen produce to support National School Lunch Program operations across Georgia, Missouri, Texas, and Florida; and correctional facility and sheriff's department IFBs for frozen berries in Santa Clara County, California, and frozen berry procurement by the Oregon Department of Corrections. Issuing bodies cluster around state health agencies and corrections departments (Texas HHSC, Oregon DOC, county sheriff departments), independent school districts and county boards of education (Hancock County and Bulloch County in Georgia, Rockwood R-VI in Missouri, Savannah-Chatham in Georgia, and others), Head Start and early childhood nutrition programs, and occasionally regional cooperative purchasing vehicles. The mix is heavily weighted toward education and state-institutional food service, with repeat activity from Texas HHSC and Georgia school districts.

Recent opportunities confirm strong geographic concentration in Texas (HHSC El Paso State Supported Living Center IFB HHS0017449 due July 13, 2026; Big Spring State Hospital IFB HHS0017660 due July 27, 2026; supplemental food procurement HHS0016792 due February 23, 2026, with prior-year spend of $4.5 million potential value over three years), Georgia (Hancock County Schools IFB SN002-2027 due June 26, 2026 for fresh produce and frozen items; Bulloch County Board of Education IFB #043025 due May 4, 2026; Early County Board of Education due June 8, 2026; Savannah-Chatham County SCCPSS Bid 26-34 due April 23, 2026; Henry County Schools IFB due May 5, 2026; Douglas County Schools RFP SN 26-004 for fresh produce due March 4, 2026), and Missouri (Rockwood R-VI School District due April 29, 2026). Smaller recent opportunities appeared in Florida (Hillsborough County Public Schools FFVP RFP due March 11, 2026 at $600,000 estimated annual value), Connecticut (City of Bridgeport Board of Education IFB due June 30, 2026 spanning 1,100+ line items), New Jersey (state Department of Human Services frozen vegetable rebid T1103 due June 17, 2026), California (Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department dried fruits and nuts ITB due February 5, 2026), and Oregon (ODOC frozen berries ITB due April 23, 2026 at approximately $35,600 contract value). Pricing typically remains firm for 12 months or the initial contract term, with adjustments thereafter tied to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service reports, Consumer Price Index data, or federal minimum wage. Most school district solicitations require Buy American domestic-content minimums (51 percent) and compliance with USDA nutrition standards. Delivery frequencies range from weekly to multiple times weekly, with temperature-controlled vehicles required for frozen goods arriving at or below 10 degrees Fahrenheit and minimum six-month shelf life from delivery common in institutional contracts.