UNSPSC 50221200: Processed cereals

UNSPSC 50221200 Processed cereals, a Class code, covers breakfast cereal and related grain products that state and local governments procure for institutional food service — principally school nutrition programs, correctional facilities, and state-operated hospitals and supported living centers. Recent solicitations show strong demand for individual-serving packaged cold cereals (frosted flakes, Special K, rice crispies, raisin bran, corn flakes), bulk hot cereals (oats, farina, grits, cream of rice), and specialty formulations including gluten-free, kosher, multi-grain, and quick-cooking varieties. State and local buyers specify firm, fixed unit pricing, compliance with FDA Current Good Manufacturing Practices and USDA standards, minimum shelf life of 240 days to one year depending on product type, and delivery to centralized distribution points or individual school sites. Issuing bodies include state departments of health and human services (Texas HHSC, Oregon Department of Corrections), school nutrition programs across multiple districts (Ben Hill County Schools in Georgia, Burke County Public Schools in Georgia, Liberty County Board of Education in Georgia, Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, Douglas County School System in Georgia), county correctional facilities (Montgomery County, Pennsylvania), and statewide cooperative purchasing arrangements. The code does not appear to be heavily fragmented — school districts and state health/corrections agencies dominate the recent opportunities.

Recent activity concentrates in Texas, Georgia, Oregon, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Representative opportunities include the New Jersey Department of the Treasury Division of Purchase and Property's bid for hot and cold cereals (Solicitation T0009 26DPP01321, due August 6, 2026), requesting 14 price lines in two groups with estimated annual volumes of 2,700 to 9,600 cases per line over a three-year term; the Oregon Department of Corrections' invitation for approximately 40,000 pounds of seven- to nine-grain cereal (Solicitation S2910000017149, due June 22, 2026) and a separate request for 36,000 pounds of gluten-free corn flakes (S2910000016400, due April 3, 2026), both with Oregon-goods and resident-bidder preferences; the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's blanket purchase order for candy and beverages at Big Spring State Hospital (IFB HHS0017656, due July 28, 2026), referencing $55,018.47 in FY2025 spend on similar goods; and Fairfax County Public Schools' master grocery contract (IFB 2000004323, due April 27, 2026) requiring weekly deliveries across 45 schools plus distribution kitchens. Contracts typically span 12 months with renewal or extension options, firm fixed pricing for the initial term, and price adjustments thereafter tied to the Consumer Price Index or verified market data.