UNSPSC 50301523: Empire apples

The variety of apples known as empire apples

UNSPSC 50301523 Empire apples, a Commodity code, encompasses fresh fruit procurement by state and local governments for institutional food service operations — primarily schools, correctional facilities, mental-health centers, and senior services. State and local buyers source apples both as standalone line items and as components of broader fresh-produce contracts serving child nutrition programs, senior meal services, and facility dietary operations. The code sees activity across multiple issuing-body types: state corrections and mental-health departments, county school districts, city departments of human services, and independent school districts. Texas Department of Criminal Justice appears as a repeat buyer, posting multiple solicitations for fresh fruit and vegetable supply to food warehouses serving incarcerated populations. School districts dominate the recent opportunity set, with procurement spanning National School Lunch Program compliance, USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants, and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal service.

Recent activity concentrates in Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Connecticut. Representative opportunities include the Texas Department of Criminal Justice solicitation IW267376 (fresh fruit and vegetable supply to Palestine, Texas) with proposals due October 19, 2026; the Illinois Department of Corrections solicitation 27426DOCJOLIEB53849 (bi-weekly fresh produce delivery to Joliet Treatment Center, RFQ, due September 3, 2026); Madison Metropolitan School District RFB 4162 (petite bananas, 70–90 cases weekly, annual contract value $78,000, due July 29, 2026); Hancock County Board of Education IFB #SN002-2027 (200+ line items of fresh produce including apple varieties, bid due June 26, 2026); and DeSoto County School District (fresh produce distribution across 41 school sites, bid due June 22, 2026). Pricing is typically firm fixed or cost-plus-fee; delivery windows are narrow (early morning to mid-morning, Monday–Friday); and Buy American requirements are standard in school and state-facility contracts. Insurance minimums run $500,000 to $1 million general liability, and HACCP plans are frequently required at award.