UNSPSC 50401909: Chioggia beets

The variety of beets known as chioggia beets

UNSPSC 50401909 Chioggia beets, a Commodity code, covers fresh root vegetables — specifically specialized beet varieties — that state and local governments procure for school nutrition programs, institutional food service, and senior services. Recent solicitations show steady demand from school districts and corrections agencies for fresh produce supply, though the Chioggia beet code itself sees limited direct activity; instead, procurement bodies tag purchases under broader produce categories that encompass multiple root vegetables, and beet varieties (red, golden, and specialty types like Chioggia) appear as line items within comprehensive fresh-produce RFPs rather than standalone solicitations.

Issuing bodies across the region include school districts (Madison Metropolitan, Northside Independent, Austin Independent, Bartow County, Bryan County, and dozens of others in Georgia), county school systems, state departments of criminal justice, and senior services divisions in municipalities. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Georgia school districts dominate recent activity, with TDCJ issuing separate bids for carrots, sweet potatoes, and white potatoes for institutional canning and food service, while school nutrition programs across Texas, Georgia, Florida, Connecticut, and Missouri solicit fresh produce on annual or multi-year contracts. School districts emphasize seasonal variety, local sourcing preferences (often within 200–400 miles), USDA Buy American compliance, and HACCP certification. Recent representative opportunities include Bartow County Schools (RFP 10-2026-019, due June 22, 2026) seeking local fresh fruits and vegetables from farms within 400 miles; Bryan County Schools (sealed bid, due May 27, 2026) requesting fresh produce including carrots in multiple forms; Glynn County Board of Education (IFB 27-02, due April 14, 2026) seeking 60 produce line items for 16 schools; and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (IFB IW241979-A, due March 17, 2026) soliciting 1,200 tons of carrots for institutional supply. Geographic concentration remains in Georgia (school districts from Bryan County to Glynn County to Henry County) and Texas (TDCJ, McAllen ISD, Northside ISD, Austin ISD), with secondary activity in Florida (Hillsborough County Schools), Connecticut (Meriden Public Schools), and Missouri (Rockwood R-VI). These procurement bodies typically award annually or on multi-year terms with renewal options, require weekly or twice-weekly delivery to multiple school sites or institutional locations, mandate $500,000 to $2,000,000 general liability insurance, and prioritize responsive bidders with proven produce-distribution experience and HACCP or GAP certification.