UNSPSC 50321571: Dried red chief apples

The variety of apples known as red chief apples that have been dried for preservation.

UNSPSC 50321571 Dried red chief apples (Commodity) represents a narrow but recurring category within school nutrition procurement, where state and local education agencies purchase dried apple products as part of broader fresh and processed produce sourcing for cafeteria meal programs. Recent solicitations show that dried apples appear as line items within large multi-category food commodity buys rather than standalone procurement actions; the Hancock County Schools (Georgia) fresh produce IFB for school year 2026–27, posted June 10, 2026, specified multiple apple varieties including fresh options across over 200 line items, while the City of Bridgeport and State of Georgia sought dried and processed fruit products alongside proteins, vegetables, and staples. School districts and state prison systems are the primary issuing bodies, with Buy American provisions (51 percent domestic content for processed products) and HACCP or USDA compliance requirements appearing across all school-nutrition solicitations. Vendors must hold product traceability documentation, food safety certifications, and commercial general liability insurance ($500,000 to $1 million depending on the customer).

Activity concentrates in the Southeast and Texas. Hancock County Schools (Sparta, Georgia) sought fresh produce delivery to three school sites with a firm-fixed contract period running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, under IFB with responses due June 26, 2026. The City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and State of Georgia both posted broader commodity buys (June 2 and May 15, 2026, respectively) with June 26 and June 22 due dates that included dried fruits among multiple food categories. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice issued two separate procurements — a comprehensive cafeteria food IFB (304T-26-300CF) for five geographic warehouse areas with delivery through August 31, 2027 (response extended to May 4, 2026), and a dedicated prunes bid (IW236532, closed February 20, 2026) specifying 1,400 boxes minimum to a single Corpus location. Awards are typically made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with school districts reserving the right to split awards among multiple vendors. Pricing must be firm fixed for the full contract term, include all freight and delivery, and meet delivery windows (schools specify Monday–Friday morning windows; TDCJ specifies 30 days after order receipt).