UNSPSC 50301544: Jester apples

The variety of apples known as jester apples

UNSPSC 50301544 Jester apples (Commodity) is a narrow produce line that state and local governments buy primarily as part of broader fresh fruit and vegetable procurement for correctional facilities, schools, senior centers, mental health facilities, and child nutrition programs. Recent solicitations show states and localities sourcing jester apples alongside mixed apple varieties, bananas, berries, root vegetables, and leafy greens for meal service operations. The issuing bodies span state corrections departments, school districts, county school boards, city senior services divisions, mental health agencies, and child nutrition program operators. Texas Department of Criminal Justice has posted multiple produce solicitations in recent weeks, suggesting sustained volume demand across its facilities; school districts in Georgia, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Florida, Connecticut, Texas, and Illinois represent the dominant buyer cluster, with individual districts frequently issuing annual RFBs or ITNs for produce supply covering 9 to 12 months per school year.

Geographic activity concentrates in the South and Midwest, particularly Georgia, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Florida, with school nutrition programs driving the majority of recent postings. Representative solicitations include the Texas Department of Criminal Justice requesting fresh fruit and vegetables for the Palestine and Snyder facilities (IW267376, due October 19, 2026, and IW267420, due October 14, 2026); Madison Metropolitan School District seeking petite bananas (RFB 4162, due July 29, 2026, estimated annual value $78,000) and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks (RFB 4163, due July 29, 2026, with a Wisconsin-sourced produce requirement); Bartow County School System in Georgia requesting local fresh fruits and vegetables within 400 miles (RFP 10-2026-019, due June 22, 2026, contract term July 2026 through June 2027 with four renewal options); and the Illinois Department of Mental Health's Madden Mental Health Center seeking fresh produce delivery (small purchase procurement 27444DHSMENTHB53608, due August 14, 2026, FY27 contract through June 30, 2027). Collier County, Florida, issued an ITN for food services at North Collier Regional Park (ITN 258360, due March 6, 2025) with local-vendor preference of 10 evaluation points. School districts typically weight cost at 30–40% of evaluation criteria, with qualifications, menu variety, food-safety compliance, and past performance representing the remainder.