UNSPSC 50304613: Dixie lee melons

The variety of melons known as dixie lee melons

UNSPSC 50304613 Dixie lee melons (Commodity) names a single fresh fruit item, but state and local procurement activity under this code actually centers on fresh produce supply contracts covering produce broadly — bananas, apples, berries, root vegetables, leafy greens, and melons among other items — delivered to correctional facilities, school districts, senior services, and mental health centers. The issuing bodies are varied: state departments of corrections and mental health in Illinois and Texas, county school districts in Georgia, Michigan, and Mississippi, independent school districts in Texas and Wisconsin, municipal governments and food service operators. School districts and state correctional agencies dominate the recent opportunity set; Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Illinois Department of Corrections each issued multiple solicitations between May and October 2026, while school nutrition programs in Hancock County (Georgia), Bryan County (Georgia), Dougherty County (Georgia), DeSoto County (Mississippi), Bartow County (Georgia), Early County (Georgia), and Madison (Wisconsin) posted fresh produce bids during the same window. Non-food-service entities also appear: the Illinois Department of Mental Health's Madden Mental Health Center sought produce for FY 2027, the City of San Antonio posted an RFP for produce market operations at senior centers, and Marion Health Care Coalition (MHCC) solicited produce proposals for the 2026-2027 contract period.

The geographic spread centers on the South and Midwest: Texas, Illinois, Georgia, and Mississippi show the heaviest recent activity, with additional opportunities in Wisconsin, Connecticut, Florida, and Michigan. Representative recent solicitations include the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's dual solicitations for fresh fruit and vegetables to serve Palestine (IW267376, due October 19, 2026) and Snyder and Wynne food warehouses (IW267420 and IW267411, both due October 14, 2026); the Illinois Department of Corrections' fresh produce bid for Joliet Treatment Center (27426DOCJOLIEB53849, small business set-aside, due September 3, 2026); Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB for petite bananas at $78,000 annual contract value (RFB 4162, due July 29, 2026); and Hancock County Board of Education's fresh produce IFB covering over 200 line items for the 2026-27 school year (IFB #SN002-2027, due June 26, 2026). Contracts typically run one school or fiscal year with renewal options; pricing is firm for the contract period or subject to escalation tied to USDA or Consumer Price Index data; delivery is required Monday through Friday during early morning hours (typically 5:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.); and vendors must carry $500,000 to $1,000,000 general liability insurance and comply with Buy American provisions where applicable.