UNSPSC 50170000: Seasonings and preservatives

UNSPSC 50170000 Seasonings and preservatives is a Family code that covers ingredients and supplies used in institutional food service operations, though the recent state and local solicitations under this code show a much broader scope than the nominal name suggests. State and local governments are actually buying complete grocery and food-supply packages for school districts, correctional facilities, state hospitals, and state-supported living centers—fresh produce, proteins, dairy, grains, condiments, and consumable food-service supplies including packaging and gloves. The issuing bodies are predominantly school districts (Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, Taunton Public Schools in Massachusetts, Rockwood R-VI School District in Missouri, Douglas County School System in Georgia) and state health and human services agencies (Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Georgia Department of Education), with one state correctional procurement (Texas Department of Criminal Justice). School districts represent the dominant buyer segment, issuing contracts for annual food-supply terms typically running July 1 through June 30 with renewal options extending two to four years beyond the initial term. State agencies procure on behalf of institutional populations at hospitals, supported living centers, and correctional facilities statewide.

The geographic concentration is heaviest in Texas and Georgia, with significant recent activity in Massachusetts, Missouri, and Virginia. Texas Health and Human Services Commission has posted multiple IFBs for supplemental food and consumables serving state facilities statewide, including the El Paso State Supported Living Center (HHS0017449, response due July 13, 2026, historical value $1.5 million annually) and a broader statewide supplemental foods procurement (HHS0016792v2, maximum potential value $4.5 million over three years). The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, through the Comptroller's Statewide Procurement Division, solicited cafeteria food products across five geographic warehouse areas (304T26300CF, response extended to May 4, 2026, with 382 line items). Douglas County School System in Georgia issued concurrent RFPs for fresh produce and eggs serving 30 districts (SN 26-004, approximately $5.5 million combined annual spend, response due March 4, 2026) and food supply and distribution for 32 schools (26-003, approximately $9 million annual expenditure, response due February 18, 2026). Fairfax County Public Schools (Virginia) solicited Master Grocery K-12 covering 45 schools plus distribution centers (2000004323, response due April 27, 2026), and Taunton Public Schools (Massachusetts) requested groceries for 8,241 students across ten schools (BD211534FOOD1, response due May 20, 2026). Rockwood R-VI School District (Missouri) posted over 900 line items for 2026-27 school-year supply (response due April 29, 2026). The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Operational Services Division reopened a statewide K-12 nutrition products contract (GRO42, response due August 26, 2026) that includes produce, groceries, and newly added locally sourced foods. Illinois posted a weekly food order for the IVHQ program (27497DVAQUINCB52821, response due June 26, 2026). All recent solicitations emphasize firm fixed pricing, USDA grade compliance, delivery to multiple sites on set schedules, and Buy American provisions where applicable; school districts consistently require Massachusetts commodity certification, HACCP facilities, or equivalent compliance and liability insurance of $500,000 to $2 million depending on the contract scope.