NIGP 39084: Vegetables, Fresh

NIGP 39084 Vegetables, Fresh is an Item code encompassing the supply and delivery of fresh produce—principally raw vegetables and fresh fruits—to state and local institutions including school districts, county facilities, and municipal operations. State and local governments procure under this code primarily for child nutrition programs (breakfast and lunch service), federal nutrition assistance initiatives (USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program), and institutional food service operations at corrections facilities, senior centers, and detention venues. Recent solicitations reflect strong demand for processed and ready-to-eat fresh produce—pre-cut vegetables, salads, fruit cups—alongside bulk commodity purchases of apples, bananas, carrots, lettuce, potatoes, berries, and seasonal items, all subject to USDA food safety, nutrition, and domestic-sourcing compliance.

The issuing-body mix spans school districts of all sizes (from independent districts serving 6,900 to 83,000 students), county boards of education, state departments (Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Georgia state operations, Maryland statewide procurement), municipal and county sheriffs' departments, city school systems, special-purpose regional cooperatives (Metropolitan Area Planning Council in Massachusetts, GEC Buying Cooperative in Georgia), Head Start organizations, and senior services divisions. School districts represent the dominant buyer, with repeat procurement visible in Texas (TDCJ, Austin ISD, McAllen ISD, Northside ISD), Georgia (Bulloch County, Dougherty County, Liberty County, Muscogee County, Glynn County, Bryan County, Bartow County school systems and state procurement), and Florida (Hillsborough County). Recent activity concentrates in the Southeast and Texas, with secondary activity in California (Orange County Sheriff), Utah (Salt Lake City), Massachusetts (MAPC cooperative), Connecticut (Meriden), and Missouri (Rockwood School District). Representative recent opportunities include the Madison Metropolitan School District RFB 4163 for fresh fruit and vegetable snacks (bids due July 29, 2026) emphasizing local sourcing within 400 miles and organic produce preference; Head Start of Greater Dallas IFB 26-GP for frozen foods and produce under CACFP (sealed bids due June 24, 2026, estimated value $969,460.94); the Texas Department of Criminal Justice IFB IW253079 for carrots and IFB IW253121 for sweet potatoes (both due June 23, 2026); Hillsborough County Public Schools RFP 26039RFPDST for USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program specialty produce delivery (proposals due March 11, 2026, estimated budget $600,000); and Northside Independent School District RFP 2026-048 for fresh produce delivery to 117 campuses (due May 7, 2026). Institutional demand signals remain consistent: weekly or twice-weekly delivery requirements, temperature-controlled refrigerated transport, HACCP and food safety certification, traceability documentation, insurance thresholds of $500,000 to $2 million general liability, Buy American compliance, and firm pricing for 12-month contract terms with renewal options. Set-asides and preferences are inconsistent across jurisdictions; some (Texas, Georgia) include local-vendor or state-vendor preferences or small-business/minority-business scoring; others apply no explicit designation. Activity is steady and competitive across all recent months through July 2026.