UNSPSC 50161813: Chocolate or chocolate substitute candy

UNSPSC 50161813 Chocolate or chocolate substitute candy is a Commodity code under which state and local governments procure packaged candy products for institutional canteens, commissaries, hospital gift shops, school events, and similar settings. Recent activity shows chocolate and candy appearing as line items within broader food and snack solicitations rather than as standalone chocolate-specific contracts. State and local issuing bodies soliciting under this code include state health and human services agencies, county detention facilities, state fair operations, school districts, and state departments of innovation and technology. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) represents the most active buyer, posting multiple IFBs for candy and beverage products serving state-supported living centers and state hospitals with historical annual values in the $55,000 to $75,000 range. Oregon's Marion County Jail and Georgia state agencies also appear in recent activity, though often as part of broader commissary or food-supply contracts rather than candy-focused procurements.

Geographic activity concentrates in Texas, Georgia, and Oregon based on recent postings. Representative opportunities include the Texas HHSC's IFB HHS0017656 for candy and beverages to Big Spring State Hospital (responses due July 28, 2026, with a historical FY 2025 value of $55,018.47) and IFB HHS0017722 for assorted snack products including candy for Mexia State Supported Living Center (responses due July 31, 2026, with a historical annual value of $75,000). The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology's small-business set-aside procurement (responses due July 7, 2026) included candy as one component of supplies for the 2026 State Fair DOIT Communication Team. Larger food-distribution and commissary operations in Georgia and Oregon occasionally tag candy within broader RFPs for fresh produce, institutional food supply, or jail commissary services, though the chocolate or candy commodity itself does not drive the primary opportunity scope in those instances.