UNSPSC 50302527: Maraschino cherries

The variety of cherries known as maraschino cherries

UNSPSC 50302527 Maraschino cherries (Commodity) does not reflect the scope of work actually being solicited under this code in state and local procurement. Recent opportunities tagged to this code show sustained demand for fresh produce supply and delivery to correctional facilities, school nutrition programs, senior services, child care programs, and healthcare facilities, but the commodity itself—maraschino cherries—does not appear in any recent solicitation. Instead, state and local issuing bodies are procuring comprehensive fresh fruit and vegetable supply contracts, including apples, bananas, berries, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, onions, oranges, potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, and dozens of other items, typically delivered via standing orders to multiple sites on fixed schedules with quality, temperature, and freshness guarantees.

The issuing-body mix spans school districts (Madison Metropolitan, DeSoto County, Hancock County, Dougherty County, Bryan County, Bartow County, Early County), state departments (Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois Department of Mental Health), counties (Collier County, DeSoto County), cities (San Antonio, Bridgeport, Edinburg), and specialized service agencies (Head Start of Greater Dallas, Marion Health Care Coalition). The geographic concentration is strongest in Texas, Georgia, and Illinois, with additional activity in Connecticut, Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Florida. Representative recent opportunities include the Texas Department of Criminal Justice soliciting fresh fruit and vegetable supply to the Wynne Food Warehouse (Huntsville) and Snyder Food Warehouse under IFB responses due October 14, 2026; Madison Metropolitan School District requesting bids for petite bananas ($78,000 annual value, July 29, 2026 RFB deadline) and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks with a 400-mile Wisconsin sourcing requirement (July 29, 2026 deadline); DeSoto County School District seeking fresh produce distribution across 41 school sites with a 97% service-level mandate (bid due June 22, 2026); and Bartow County School System requesting local fresh fruits and vegetables sourced within 400 miles (proposal due June 22, 2026). The code shows robust procurement activity but a material mismatch between the commodity name and actual buying patterns.