UNSPSC 50304651: Sprite melons

The variety of melons known as sprite melons

UNSPSC 50304651 Sprite melons, a Commodity code, describes fresh produce supply and delivery services that state and local governments purchase to support institutional food service operations—primarily school nutrition programs, correctional facilities, mental health centers, senior services, and child care programs. Recent solicitations under this code reflect a heavy emphasis on fresh fruit and vegetable procurement, with buyers specifying individual produce line items (apples, bananas, carrots, lettuce, oranges, potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, and seasonal items), case quantities, ripeness stages, temperature controls, delivery schedules, and quality standards including USDA compliance, freshness guarantees, and traceability documentation. School districts dominate the issuing body mix, particularly in Georgia (Bryan County Schools, Dougherty County Board of Education, Hancock County Board of Education, Bartow County School System, Early County Board of Education), with significant activity also from state correctional and mental health departments (Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois Department of Mental Health), municipalities (City of San Antonio, City of Bridgeport, City of Edinburg), counties (Collier County, DeSoto County), and specialized procurement entities (Head Start of Greater Dallas, Marion Health Care Coalition). Madison Metropolitan School District stands out for multiple solicitations targeting specific produce items (petite bananas, fresh fruit and vegetable snacks).

Geographic activity concentrates in Texas, Georgia, and Illinois, with secondary presence in Wisconsin, Florida, Connecticut, and Mississippi. Representative recent opportunities include the Texas Department of Criminal Justice soliciting fresh fruit and vegetable deliveries to correctional facilities in Palestine and Huntsville (due October 19 and October 14, 2026, respectively); Madison Metropolitan School District requesting bids for petite bananas (70–90 cases weekly, $78,000 estimated annual value, due July 29, 2026) and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks processed and delivered ready-to-eat (due July 29, 2026); Bartow County School System (Georgia) requesting local produce sourced within 400 miles, with proposals due June 22, 2026; and the Illinois Department of Corrections seeking fresh produce delivery to Joliet Treatment Center under a small business set-aside (due September 3, 2026). Collier County issued an Invitation to Negotiate for food services at North Collier Regional Park with a local-vendor preference (10 evaluation points) and a three-year contract term with two one-year renewals. Evaluation criteria across opportunities weight cost (typically 30–40%), vendor qualifications and experience, compliance with food safety and HACCP standards, delivery performance, and local or diverse-business status (5–15 points). Most solicitations require F.O.B. Destination pricing with no separate fuel charges, carry minimum $1 million general liability insurance, mandate E-Verify authorization, and impose Buy American provisions or domestic content requirements where federal funding supports the program.