NIGP 39029: Fruits, Fresh, Organic and Non GMO (Genetically Modified Organism)

NIGP 39029 Fresh Fruits, Organic and Non-GMO, an Item code, encompasses fresh fruit procurement by state and local governments for school nutrition programs, parks and recreation concessions, health care facilities, and child nutrition distribution. Recent solicitations show school districts dominating the buying activity, with purchases ranging from single-commodity items (petite bananas at 70–90 cases weekly) to comprehensive fresh-fruit line items as part of broader produce portfolios. The scope includes conventional and organic fresh fruits, with organic items receiving price preferences in competitive evaluations; sourcing requirements frequently mandate produce grown within 400 miles of the purchasing location or within the procuring state. Issuing bodies include independent school districts (Madison Metropolitan, Hancock County, Bartow County, Early County), county parks departments (Collier County), health care coalitions (Marion Health Care Coalition), and state agencies. School districts and their food service programs represent the primary buyer base, with nutrition programs serving students under USDA child nutrition programs, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and National School Lunch/Breakfast programs.

Recent activity concentrates in the Southeast and Midwest. Madison Metropolitan School District issued RFBs in July 2026 for petite bananas (estimated contract value $78,000 for September 2026–June 2027) and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks (5,900 weekly servings from September through November 2026 with potential extensions, open to Wisconsin-sourced vendors at a 5% diverse-business preference and $0.20-per-pound organic discount). Hancock County Board of Education (Georgia) released an IFB in June 2026 for over 200 line items of fresh produce spanning apple varieties, berries, melons, citrus, and specialty fruits for July 2026–June 2027, requiring 51 percent domestic agricultural commodity content in processed products. Bartow County School System (Georgia) issued an RFP due June 22, 2026 for local fresh fruits and vegetables sourced within 400 miles for the 2026–2027 school year with four one-year renewal options. Collier County Board of County Commissioners posted an ITN in October 2026 (due March 6, 2025) for food services at North Collier Regional Park, with fresh-fruit concession components; a 10-point local-vendor preference applies to vendors meeting permanent Collier or Lee County residency criteria.