UNSPSC 50302000: Blackberries

The usually black or dark purple juicy but seedy edible aggregate fruit of various brambles of the rose family

UNSPSC 50302000 Blackberries is a Class code covering fresh fruit supply to state and local institutions — primarily correctional facilities, mental health centers, school districts, senior services, and child nutrition programs. State and local governments procure blackberries and mixed fresh fruits under this code as components of broader fresh-produce contracts serving meal programs, food services, and dietary operations. The issuing bodies span state departments of corrections and mental health, county and municipal school districts, county boards of education, and specialized service agencies including senior centers and Head Start programs. Procurement vehicles range from sealed competitive bids (IFB, RFB) to requests for proposals (RFP, RFQ) and invitations to negotiate (ITN), with small-purchase and cooperative procurement frameworks common among smaller jurisdictions.

Recent activity concentrates heavily in Georgia, Texas, and the Upper Midwest, with standout repeat buyers including the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (three separate solicitations for fresh fruit and vegetables to regional food warehouses in September–October 2026), the Illinois Department of Corrections (serving Joliet Treatment Center), Madison Metropolitan School District (RFB 4163 for fresh fruit and vegetable snacks, July 2026), and multiple Georgia school districts (Hancock County, Dougherty County, Bryan County, Bartow County, Early County, and DeSoto County). Representative recent opportunities include the Texas Department of Criminal Justice solicitation IW267376 (fresh fruit and vegetable delivery to Palestine, Texas, proposals due October 19, 2026), the Illinois Department of Corrections RFQ 27426DOCJOLIEB53849 (bi-weekly produce delivery with small business set-aside, due September 3, 2026), Madison Metropolitan School District RFB 4163 (approximately 5,900 servings weekly of ready-to-eat fresh fruit and vegetable snacks sourced within Wisconsin and 400 miles of Madison, July 29, 2026 due date, with organic preference pricing), and Collier County ITN for food services at North Collier Regional Park (comprehensive food and beverage concession operation with local-vendor 10-point preference, proposals due March 6, 2025). Contracts typically span fiscal or academic years (July–June or September–June) with optional renewal periods, require HACCP plans and food safety compliance, and mandate F.O.B. Destination pricing with no fuel surcharges. Buy American provisions, prevailing wage certifications, and general liability insurance ($500,000 to $2 million per occurrence) appear consistently across jurisdictions.