UNSPSC 50307036: Star apples

Carambola or starfruits are ovate to ellipsoid, 2-1/2 to 5 inches (6 to 13 cm) in length, with 5 (rarely 4 or 6) prominent longitudinal ribs. Slices cut in cross-section are star shaped. The skin is thin, light to dark yellow and smooth with a waxy cuticle. The flesh is light yellow to yellow, translucent, crisp and very juicy, without fiber. The fruit has a more or less oxalic acid odor and the flavor ranges from very sour to mildly sweet. The so-called sweet types rarely have more than 4% sugar. There may be up to 12 flat, thin brown seeds 1/4 - 1/2 inch long or none at all.

UNSPSC 50307036 Star apples is a Commodity code capturing what state and local governments actually procure under this classification: fresh produce supply and delivery to institutional food service operations, particularly correctional facilities, schools, senior services, and mental health centers. The code sees active solicitation primarily from Texas and Illinois correctional and mental health departments, Georgia school districts, and other institutional nutrition programs seeking regular fresh-produce replenishment on contract. Recent opportunities show issuing bodies ranging from state departments (Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois Department of Mental Health) to county and municipal school nutrition programs, county regional parks, and specialized procurement entities like Head Start centers and health-care coalitions. The work involves line-item bidding on fresh fruits and vegetables with firm pricing, regular delivery schedules (typically bi-weekly or weekly), compliance with USDA quality and food-safety standards, HACCP documentation, and liability insurance requirements. Contract terms commonly run nine to twelve months with optional renewal periods.

Recent opportunities show heaviest activity in Texas and Georgia, with secondary volume in Illinois, Wisconsin, Connecticut, and Mississippi. Representative solicitations include the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's solicitation for fresh fruit and vegetables delivery to the Palestine facility (IFB IW267376, due October 19, 2026), the Illinois Department of Corrections' fresh-produce contract for Joliet Treatment Center (RFQ 27426DOCJOLIEB53849, due September 3, 2026, carrying a small-business set-aside), Hancock County Schools in Georgia bidding on over 200 line items of fresh produce including multiple apple varieties, berries, and specialty items for the 2026-27 school year (IFB SN002-2027, due June 26, 2026), and Madison Metropolitan School District's bids for petite bananas (RFB 4162, estimated contract value $78,000, due July 29, 2026) and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks eligible for a 5% diverse-owned business preference (RFB 4163, due July 29, 2026). The code shows sustained demand from institutional food-service operations with predictable procurement cycles aligned to school and fiscal years.