UNSPSC 50304443: Thornton oranges

The variety of mandarin oranges and tangerines known as thornton oranges

UNSPSC 50304443 Thornton oranges is a Commodity code. State and local governments procure fresh oranges and mixed fresh produce primarily for institutional food service — correctional facilities, mental health centers, school nutrition programs, senior services, and child care programs. Recent opportunities reflect heavy demand from state departments of corrections and education agencies for bulk fresh fruit delivery to support meal programs serving hundreds to thousands of daily consumers. Buying is driven by federal nutrition standards (USDA CACFP, National School Lunch Program), Buy American sourcing mandates, and compliance with health and food safety regulations including HACCP certification. Issuing bodies span state departments (Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Illinois Department of Corrections and Mental Health), county and city school districts (Madison Metropolitan, DeSoto County, Hancock County, Dougherty County, Bryan County, Early County in Georgia; Bridgeport in Connecticut), county governments (Collier County, Florida), and specialized service agencies (Head Start of Greater Dallas, Marion Health Care Coalition, City of San Antonio senior services). School districts appear as repeat procurers, with multiple Georgia school systems issuing RFBs or IFBs for fresh produce in the May–June 2026 window.

Recent activity concentrates in Texas, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Mississippi. Texas Department of Criminal Justice has issued multiple solicitations for fresh fruit and vegetable delivery to food warehouses serving correctional facilities (Snyder Food Warehouse, Wynne Food Warehouse, Palestine facility, response dates October 14–19, 2026, RFPs/IFBs). Georgia school districts dominate the geographic spread, with Bryan County Schools (sealed bid due May 27, 2026), Bartow County Schools (RFP due June 22, 2026 for local produce within 400 miles), Hancock County Board of Education (IFB due June 26, 2026), Dougherty County Board of Education (sealed bid due June 16, 2026), and Early County Board of Education (bid due June 8, 2026) all issuing fresh produce procurement in recent months. Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin is seeking petite bananas (70–90 cases weekly, estimated contract value $78,000, RFB due July 29, 2026) and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks for a USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (RFB due July 29, 2026, contingent on grant funding). Head Start of Greater Dallas solicited primary, secondary, and tertiary suppliers for approximately 32,409 cases of frozen foods, produce, and meat meeting CACFP requirements (total estimated value $969,460.94, one-year term with four optional one-year renewals, sealed bids due June 24, 2026). School nutrition procurement typically emphasizes Buy American compliance (51–100% domestic content where applicable), firm pricing for the contract term (typically 9–12 months), no separate fuel surcharges, delivery within specified windows (early morning to mid-afternoon weekdays), and HACCP and food safety certification. Local-vendor preferences are active in select jurisdictions: Collier County offered 10 evaluation points for local residency, Bartow County required local sourcing within 400 miles, and Madison Metropolitan offered a 5% preference for Wisconsin-certified diverse suppliers. Insurance requirements commonly run $500,000–$1,000,000 general liability and workers' compensation, with some larger districts demanding $2,000,000 aggregate coverage.