UNSPSC 50302600: Citrons

The variety of citrons known as citrons

UNSPSC 50302600 Citrons is a Class code that describes fresh citrus fruits procured by state and local governments for school nutrition programs, child care food services, and senior services. State and local buyers currently source citrons and related fresh citrus varieties (oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, tangerines) as line items within larger fresh produce contracts that supply institutional meal programs. The code sits within broader procurement activity dominated by school districts, county boards of education, and specialized food service entities (Head Start programs, city senior services divisions) that bundle citrus with apples, bananas, berries, leafy greens, and other fresh produce in single solicitations. Issuing bodies span elementary through high school districts in Georgia, Florida, Texas, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Oregon, and other states, with repeat activity from Georgia school systems (Bulloch County, Bryan County, Dougherty County, Liberty County, Savannah-Chatham County, Glynn County, and others) conducting annual or multi-year produce procurements. Most solicitations are structured as sealed-bid Invitations for Bid (IFB) or Request for Proposals (RFP) with award to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, though some districts allow multiple vendor awards by line item to optimize cost. Evaluation criteria typically weight cost at 30–50 percent, with product quality, delivery reliability, vendor qualifications, and compliance with Buy American requirements accounting for the remainder.

Representative recent opportunities include the Hancock County Board of Education School Nutrition Program (IFB #SN002-2027, sealed bids due June 26, 2026) sourcing over 200 produce line items including multiple apple varieties, berries, and citrus fruits (along with other produce) for delivery to three school locations under a one-year contract with four optional renewals; Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (Bid 26-34, sealed bids due April 23, 2026) procuring 72 fresh produce items across 60 school sites with estimated annual volumes reaching 21,125 cases for some items; Bulloch County School District (IFP for local produce, sealed proposals due May 4, 2026) seeking fresh, locally-grown produce from vendors within 200 miles, including citrus varieties and other items for a Farm to School program; and the GEC Buying Cooperative (RFP SN 26-004, due March 4, 2026) coordinating procurement across 30 Georgia school districts in two geographic areas with estimated combined annual spending of approximately $5.5 million for fresh produce and eggs. Geographic concentration is heaviest in Georgia, with secondary activity in Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Mississippi, Oregon, and California. All contracts require compliance with Buy American provisions (domestic agricultural content minimum 51 percent for processed products), HACCP plans, food safety certifications, liability insurance ranging from $500,000 to $2,000,000 aggregate, and weekly or bi-weekly deliveries to school and program sites between early morning (5:30–6:30 a.m.) and mid-afternoon windows.