UNSPSC 50305900: Pomegranates

A thick-skinned several-celled reddish berry that is about the size of an orange and has many seeds with pulpy crimson arils of tart flavor

UNSPSC 50305900 Pomegranates is a Class code covering fresh fruit supply to state and local institutions, though recent solicitations under this code tag show activity dominated by broader fresh produce procurement rather than pomegranates specifically. State and local governments buying under this code are primarily correctional facilities, mental health centers, school districts, and social-services agencies procuring fresh fruits and vegetables for inmate meals, patient nutrition, child nutrition programs, and senior services. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice appears repeatedly as a buyer, soliciting fresh fruit and vegetable supply to multiple food warehouses serving prison facilities. School districts dominate the issuing-body mix, with recent bids from Madison Metropolitan School District (Wisconsin), Hancock County Board of Education (Georgia), Dougherty County Board of Education (Georgia), DeSoto County School District (Mississippi), Bartow County School System (Georgia), Early County Board of Education (Georgia), and Bryan County Schools (Georgia) all seeking produce for National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Mental health centers, senior services, and child care organizations round out the buyer base. Illinois Department of Mental Health's Madden Mental Health Center and Illinois Department of Corrections at Joliet Treatment Center both posted produce procurement in August 2026. The City of San Antonio's Department of Human Services sought a contractor to operate produce markets and distribute produce boxes at senior center locations.

Recent activity concentrates in Texas and Georgia, with additional solicitations from Wisconsin, Illinois, Mississippi, and Connecticut. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice posted three fresh fruit and vegetable solicitations in September and October 2026 (IW267420 for the Snyder Food Warehouse due October 14, IW267411 for the Wynne Food Warehouse due October 14, and IW267376 for Palestine due October 19). Madison Metropolitan School District issued RFB 4162 for petite bananas (70–90 cases weekly, estimated annual value $78,000, contract September 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, bids due July 29, 2026) and RFB 4163 for fresh fruit and vegetable snacks (approximately 5,900 servings weekly for elementary students in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, contract September 1–November 30, 2026 with up to two three-month extensions, bids due July 29, 2026). Hancock County Board of Education in Georgia sought fresh produce across over 200 line items for the 2026–27 school year (bids due June 26, 2026). Bryan County Schools posted a sealed bid for fresh produce including apples, bananas, berries, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, onions, oranges, potatoes, strawberries, and tomatoes (bids due May 27, 2026). Bartow County School System in Georgia requested local fresh fruits and vegetables sourced within 400 miles (proposal deadline June 22, 2026, contract July 20, 2026–June 30, 2027 with four one-year renewal options). Head Start of Greater Dallas issued IFB 26-GP for approximately 32,409 cases of frozen foods, produce, and meat products meeting Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements (estimated procurement value $969,460.94, bids due June 24, 2026). The City of Bridgeport Board of Education sought grocery items including fresh fruits and vegetables across over 1,100 line items under Buy American Provision (bids due June 30, 2026, contract July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027). Collier County Board of County Commissioners issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for food services at North Collier Regional Park including concession facilities (proposals due March 6, 2025, contract three years with two one-year renewal options, local-vendor preference worth 10 evaluation points for Collier or Lee County vendors). Price competition is uniform and vigorous across these opportunities; evaluation typically weighs cost at 30–40%, with quality, vendor qualifications, compliance, and service criteria capturing the remaining 60–70%.