UNSPSC 50301571: Red chief apples

The variety of apples known as red chief apples

UNSPSC 50301571 Red chief apples is a Commodity code that encompasses fresh apple varieties supplied to state and local public bodies, though recent solicitations show the code tagged to broader food service procurement spanning produce, groceries, and meal program support rather than red chief apples exclusively. State and local school districts dominate the issuing-body mix, with secondary activity from county school systems, municipal school boards, child care networks (Head Start, CACFP programs), and specialized procurement vehicles such as cooperative buying consortiums. Districts source produce through sealed-bid and request-for-proposal processes, often bundling apples with mixed produce line items (bananas, berries, carrots, lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes) to support National School Lunch Programs, School Breakfast Programs, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Programs, and child care meal services. Evaluation typically emphasizes cost (30–50 points), product quality and freshness, on-time delivery, compliance with USDA Buy American provisions and HACCP food safety plans, and vendor qualifications including insurance and references.

Georgia school districts account for the largest recent concentration of activity, with multiple solicitations from Hancock County, Dougherty County, Bryan County, Bulloch County, Liberty County, Glynn County, Muscogee County, Savannah-Chatham County, and regional cooperatives like the GEC Buying Cooperative serving 30 districts across two procurement areas. Texas school districts including McAllen ISD, Austin ISD, and child care networks including Head Start of Greater Dallas and the City of Edinburg Child and Adult Care Food Program round out the geographic spread. Secondary activity appears in Florida (Hillsborough County), Wisconsin (Madison Metropolitan School District), Connecticut (Meriden Public Schools, City of Bridgeport), Mississippi (DeSoto County), Georgia state-level procurement, Oregon (Central Point School District), and California (Santa Clara County). Representative recent opportunities include the GEC Buying Cooperative RFP (posted February 4, 2026, due March 4) procuring 72 fresh produce line items including multiple apple varieties across two Georgia regions with $5.5 million estimated annual spending; Hancock County Board of Education IFB (posted June 10, 2026, due June 26) covering over 200 produce line items across six apple varieties for 2026–27; Savannah-Chatham County Public School System Bid 26-34 (posted March 22, 2026, due April 23) for 72 fresh produce items including Fuji apples with 21,125 cases estimated annual demand; Bryan County School Nutrition sealed-bid procurement (posted April 27, 2026, due May 27) for approximately 1,024 cases of mixed apple varieties; and Bartow County School System RFP 10-2026-019 (posted May 21, 2026, due June 22) for local fresh fruits and vegetables within 400 miles, emphasizing seasonal sourcing. Contract values range from under $100,000 for small districts to $3.1 million for Meriden Public Schools and $5.5 million across the GEC cooperative regions. Performance cycles typically span July through June school years with optional renewal terms extending two to five years, and delivery frequency ranges from once weekly to daily for high-volume operators. Vendors must carry $500,000 to $2 million general liability insurance, maintain HACCP and recall plans with 24/7 accessibility, comply with federal Buy American and civil rights requirements, demonstrate three to five years of produce distribution experience, and accept electronic ordering and inventory tracking.