UNSPSC 50131802: Processed cheese

UNSPSC 50131802 Processed cheese, a Commodity code, covers individually wrapped shelf-stable cheese sticks and sliced cheese products that state and local governments procure primarily for school nutrition programs, institutional food service at correctional facilities and state-supported living centers, and park concession operations. Recent solicitations show state and local buyers purchasing processed cheese in standardized portions—one-ounce individually wrapped sticks in multiple flavors, pre-sliced American, Swiss, cheddar, and low-sodium varieties, and shredded cheese blends for institutional kitchens—with emphasis on food-safety compliance, domestic sourcing where applicable, and delivery reliability to multiple sites. The mix of issuing bodies includes state departments (California, Oregon, Texas, Illinois), school districts (New Haven, Bridgeport, Early County, Pinellas County), county parks departments (Collier County), state correctional systems (Texas, Oregon), and state-supported living centers (Texas). School districts and state institutional food services are the dominant repeat buyers under this code, purchasing for child nutrition programs and congregate feeding operations.

Activity concentrates in Texas, California, Oregon, Connecticut, Florida, and Illinois, with recent opportunities reflecting ongoing seasonal and annual purchasing cycles for institutional food service contracts. Representative solicitations include the City of New Haven and Board of Education requesting shelf-stable cheese sticks (80,000 portions) via RFP due October 27, 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year; the State of California Department of General Services issuing an IFB for statewide mandatory cheese covering processed and natural cheeses with estimated two-year spend of $3.26 million for Group 1 and $1.20 million for Group 2 (individually wrapped mozzarella string cheese), bids due September 15, 2026; the Oregon Department of Corrections requesting sliced low-sodium and shredded blend cheese via ITB with bids due September 2 and September 4, 2026 respectively; and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission procuring frozen food products and food service groceries for state supported living centers and correctional facilities, with multiple IFBs open through August and September 2026 carrying estimated annual volumes of $9 million to $1.5 million per facility. Collier County issued an Invitation to Negotiate for food services at North Collier Regional Park (including concession cheese offerings) due March 6, 2025. Set-asides vary by issuer—California offers small-business and disabled veteran business enterprise preferences; Oregon applies Oregon-fabricated and resident-bidder preferences; Texas applies HUB subcontracting requirements and DBE incentives where applicable; and Connecticut and Florida school districts emphasize MBE/WBE participation and local sourcing. Pricing is typically firm fixed for the initial contract term, with adjustments permitted at renewal based on USDA Dairy Market News or Consumer Price Index formulas.