UNSPSC 50301526: Gala apples

The variety of apples known as gala apples

UNSPSC 50301526 Gala apples is a Commodity code that encompasses the supply of fresh produce — primarily apples, bananas, berries, carrots, lettuce, onions, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, and ancillary fresh fruits and vegetables — to institutional food service operations. State and local governments procure under this code through school nutrition programs, correctional facilities, mental health and senior care centers, and child nutrition agencies. Issuing bodies include state departments of corrections and mental health, county and city school districts, county boards of education, city departments of human services, and specialized food service coalitions. The procurement types vary — sealed IFBs and ITNs dominate school nutrition contracting, while state facility procurement typically uses RFP or small-purchase methods. Scope emphasizes compliance with USDA standards, HACCP food safety protocols, Buy American or domestic sourcing preferences where required, and strict quality and temperature standards for delivery to multiple institutional sites.

Recent activity concentrates in Texas, Georgia, and Illinois. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has posted multiple fresh fruit and vegetable solicitations for food warehouse supply (Wynne Food Warehouse and Snyder Food Warehouse, IW267411 and IW267420, due October 14, 2026; Palestine facility, IW267376, due October 19, 2026). Georgia school districts are active — Hancock County Board of Education (IFB SN002-2027, due June 26, 2026), Dougherty County Board of Education (bids due June 16, 2026), Bryan County Schools (sealed bids due May 27, 2026), Bartow County School System (RFP due June 22, 2026), and DeSoto County School District (bids due June 22, 2026) — all seeking fresh produce for school year 2026–2027 nutrition programs with line-item specifications, local or domestic sourcing preferences, and multi-site delivery requirements. Illinois Department of Corrections (Joliet Treatment Center, small business set-aside, RFQ due September 3, 2026) and Illinois Department of Mental Health (Madden Mental Health Center, small purchase, due August 14, 2026) posted produce contracts. Wisconsin school district procurement includes Madison Metropolitan School District (petite bananas RFB 4162 and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks RFB 4163, both due July 29, 2026, with local sourcing preference within 400 miles and diversity program credits). Non-school buyers include Collier County Board of County Commissioners (ITN for North Collier Regional Park food services, due March 6, 2025), City of San Antonio Department of Human Services (RFP 26-070 for produce market operations at senior centers, due May 27, 2026), Head Start of Greater Dallas (IFB 26-GP for grocery products including produce, June 24, 2026), and Bridgeport Board of Education (BNB052266 for over 1,100 grocery line items, due June 30, 2026). All procurements require vendor capacity for consistent weekly or bi-weekly delivery, HACCP compliance, food safety certifications, general liability and workers' compensation insurance ($500,000 to $2 million coverage depending on contract size), and adherence to federal nutrition and Buy American rules where applicable.