UNSPSC 50303402: Almeria grapes

The variety of table grapes known as almeria grapes

UNSPSC 50303402 Almeria grapes, a Commodity code, names a specific variety of table grape but state and local governments procure it as part of broader fresh produce supply contracts for institutional food service—school nutrition programs, correctional facilities, mental health treatment centers, senior services, and child care operations. The actual work being solicited under this code spans fresh fruit and vegetable distribution with delivery schedules, quality standards, traceability documentation, and compliance with USDA nutrition regulations and food safety protocols. Issuing bodies include state departments of corrections and mental health, county boards of education, city school districts, and county/regional health and senior services divisions. The scope typically encompasses weekly or bi-weekly deliveries of mixed produce (apples, bananas, leafy greens, root vegetables, tomatoes, citrus, berries, and specialty items) to multiple institutional sites, often with requirements for ready-to-eat processing, farm-of-origin documentation, temperature-controlled transport, and minimum fill rates of 95–98 percent on orders. Evaluation commonly weighs unit price at 30–40 percent, qualifications and experience at 15–25 percent, menu variety and operational capability at 20–35 percent, food safety compliance at 15–20 percent, and local or diverse-owned business status at 5–10 percent when applicable.

Recent activity concentrates in Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Connecticut, with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice issuing multiple RFPs for fresh fruit and vegetable supply to food warehouses serving multiple prison sites (Wynne, Snyder, and Palestine facilities with October 2026 response dates). Georgia school districts—Bartow County, Hancock County, Dougherty County, Bryan County, Early County, and DeSoto County—have posted sealed-bid and RFP solicitations for fresh produce spanning July 2026 through June 2027 contract periods, several emphasizing local sourcing within 400 miles and seasonal availability. The Illinois Department of Corrections (Joliet Treatment Center) and Illinois Department of Mental Health (Madden Mental Health Center) each issued small-purchase and small-business-set-aside RFQs in August–September 2026 for weekly/bi-weekly produce delivery. The City of Bridgeport (Connecticut Board of Education), Collier County (Florida Parks and Recreation), Madison Metropolitan School District (Wisconsin), Head Start of Greater Dallas, and the City of San Antonio (senior services) round out the geographic spread. Representative solicitations include Madison Metropolitan School District RFB 4162 (petite bananas, 70–90 cases weekly, estimated $78,000 annual value, September 2026–June 2027), Hancock County Board of Education IFB #SN002-2027 (200+ produce line items, bids due June 26, 2026), and Texas Department of Criminal Justice IW267376 (fresh fruit and vegetables, Palestine facility, October 19, 2026 deadline). Contract terms typically run 12 months with optional renewals; pricing is firm for the contract period unless escalation clauses tied to USDA or CPI indices apply. Insurance minimums range from $500,000 to $2 million general liability, and vendors frequently must carry HACCP plans, comply with Buy American provisions (51 percent domestic content for processed items), maintain E-Verify authorization, and provide debarment certifications.