UNSPSC 50402400: Cardoons

The type of vegetable known as cardoons

UNSPSC 50402400 Cardoons is a Class code that captures state and local procurement of fresh produce, particularly vegetables and prepared food items for institutional food service operations. Recent solicitations under this code show heavy procurement of fresh fruits and vegetables for correctional facilities, state-supported living centers, school nutrition programs, senior services, and health care facilities. Issuing bodies include state health and human services departments, departments of criminal justice, county and independent school districts, transit authorities, and municipal agencies. The work involves supply and delivery of produce meeting USDA quality standards, often with traceability documentation, temperature control requirements, and compliance with food safety regulations including HACCP protocols. Contracts typically include bi-weekly or weekly deliveries to institutional kitchens, with vendors responsible for transportation on FOB Destination terms and carrying commercial general liability insurance ($500,000 to $1,000,000 per occurrence). Recent opportunities show issuing bodies emphasizing local sourcing within specified geographic radii (typically 400 miles), organic or low-sodium options, and advance ordering lead times of one to two weeks.

Activity concentrates in Texas, Illinois, and Georgia, with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and state-supported living centers appearing as repeat buyers soliciting multiple times across institutional locations. Representative recent opportunities include the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's IFB HHS0018082 for consumables foods at the Lufkin State Supported Living Center (due October 23, 2026), the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's fresh fruit and vegetable solicitations for multiple warehouse locations (IW267420, IW267376, IW267411, due October 14–19, 2026), the Illinois Department of Corrections' fresh produce RFQ for Joliet Treatment Center (27426DOCJOLIEB53849, due September 3, 2026, small business set-aside), Bartow County School System's RFP for local fresh fruits and vegetables (PE55391NONST2026000000027, due June 22, 2026), and Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB for fresh fruit and vegetable snacks (4163, due July 29, 2026, requiring 400-mile Wisconsin sourcing with diversity-owned business preference). Collier County Board of County Commissioners' ITN for food services at North Collier Regional Park (258360, due March 6, 2025) demonstrates municipal interest in concession-model produce supply with local-vendor preference scoring. School districts frequently apply USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant funding contingencies and emphasize domestic sourcing, whole-grain and low-sodium specifications, and organic or premium options in evaluation criteria.