UNSPSC 50305035: Rhode red oranges

The variety of oranges known as rhode red oranges

UNSPSC 50305035 Rhode red oranges is a Commodity code under which state and local governments procure fresh citrus fruit for school nutrition programs, child and adult care food programs, senior services, and institutional food service. Recent solicitations show the code captures procurement of fresh produce generally—apples, bananas, berries, leafy greens, carrots, and tomatoes dominate the line items—rather than Rhode red oranges specifically. The mismatch between the code's nominal scope and the work actually being bought reflects how issuing bodies tag broad produce procurement with narrow commodity codes; in practice, this code sits within a family of fresh-produce solicitations serving K–12 nutrition, Head Start, CACFP, and correctional facility meal service. School districts and school nutrition programs are the dominant issuing bodies, with sporadic activity from county and municipal departments of human services, child care organizations, and correctional facilities. The issuing-body mix spans independent school districts (Austin, Madison Metropolitan, McAllen, Meriden Public Schools, Hillsborough County), county boards of education (Glynn, Dougherty, Liberty, Muscogee, Bryan, Bartow, Henry, Early, Hancock, DeSoto, Bulloch), cooperative purchasing consortia (GEC Buying Cooperative serving 30 Georgia districts), child care agencies (Head Start of Greater Dallas, City of Edinburg CACFP), and specialized municipal procurement (City of San Antonio senior services, County of Santa Clara detention food service).

Geographic concentration is strongest in Georgia and Texas, with secondary activity in Florida, Connecticut, Mississippi, Oregon, and California. Recent representative opportunities include Madison Metropolitan School District's sealed-bid procurement for petite bananas (70–90 cases weekly at an estimated $78,000 annual value, bids due July 29, 2026); the City of Edinburg's CACFP meal program RFP spanning five supply categories including fruits and vegetables for 400 children daily (bids due August 4, 2026); Bartow County School System's RFP for local fresh fruits and vegetables sourced within 400 miles (proposals due June 22, 2026, contract award anticipated July 20, 2026); GEC Buying Cooperative's Area One fresh produce and eggs procurement covering 18 Georgia districts with estimated annual spending of $4.4 million (proposals due March 4, 2026); and Austin Independent School District's RFP for fresh produce and beverages emphasizing Good Food Purchasing Program alignment and domestic sourcing (proposals due March 11, 2026). Evaluation criteria consistently weight cost at 30–50 percent, vendor qualifications and experience at 15–25 percent, delivery and service capability at 15–25 percent, and product quality and food safety compliance at 10–20 percent. Buy American requirements mandating domestic agricultural content (51 percent minimum for processed products, maximum extent practicable for whole produce) are standard across school and CACFP solicitations. Insurance minimums typically range from $500,000 to $2 million in general liability coverage. Contract terms run July 1 through June 30 with one to five optional one-year renewal periods. Weekly or twice-weekly delivery to multiple sites is the norm, with early-morning delivery windows (often 5:00–7:00 a.m. or 6:30–2:30 p.m.) mandatory for school sites.