UNSPSC 50201710: Leaf tea

UNSPSC 50201710 Leaf tea is a Commodity code that encompasses tea products procured for institutional food service operations, including school district cafeterias, correctional facilities, and other state and local service providers. Recent state and local solicitations under this code reflect demand for tea as part of broader food and beverage supply contracts serving K–12 school nutrition programs, institutional feeding operations, and cafeteria services. The issuing bodies are predominantly school districts and state departments overseeing institutional food procurement; examples include Fairfax County Public Schools (Virginia), Rockwood R-VI School District (Missouri), Douglas County School System (Georgia), and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. These jurisdictions treat tea as one line item within larger master grocery or food supply contracts rather than as a standalone procurement, reflecting its role as a supporting beverage in institutional meal programs rather than a primary procurement focus.

Activity under the code concentrates in the southeastern United States and Texas, where recent RFPs and IFBs for institutional food supply have been posted between January and May 2026. The Douglas County School System issued RFP 26-003 for Food Supply and Distribution Services (due February 18, 2026) and RFP SN 26-004 for Fresh Produce and Eggs (due March 4, 2026), both serving 25,500 to 30 districts across Georgia with estimated annual expenditures of $4.4 million to $9 million. Fairfax County Public Schools released IFB 2000004323 for Master Grocery K-12 (due April 27, 2026) covering 45 schools plus distribution centers across Virginia. Rockwood R-VI School District posted a grocery items solicitation (due April 29, 2026) for approximately 900 line items serving nearly 19,000 students in Missouri. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, through the Texas Comptroller, issued IFB 304T-26-300CF for cafeteria food products across five geographic warehouse areas (due May 4, 2026, extended from April 21). The State of Georgia posted an open food, supplies, and other kitchen products bid (due June 22, 2026). Bidders should expect to position tea within comprehensive food service agreements rather than as a distinct tea-supply opportunity, and should emphasize compliance with school nutrition standards, USDA grade requirements, delivery logistics to multiple locations, and firm fixed pricing for 12-month contract terms.