UNSPSC 50403700: Fennels

The type of vegetable known as fennels

UNSPSC 50403700 Fennels, a Class code, covers the supply of fresh fennel and similar specialty produce items to state and local institutions, though the recent opportunities block shows no dedicated fennel solicitations—instead, fennel appears as a line item within broader fresh produce and food service procurements serving school districts, state agencies, and child nutrition programs. State and local buyers under this code span school nutrition programs (elementary through high school districts across multiple states), state departments of criminal justice and general services, child nutrition authorities including Head Start and USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program administrators, and county school boards. The scope of work extends beyond single-item produce sourcing to include commodity management, delivery logistics, food safety compliance (HACCP certification, traceability, recall procedures), and weekly distribution to multiple sites with temperature-controlled refrigeration.

Recent activity concentrates in Georgia and Texas, with secondary activity in Florida, Missouri, Connecticut, Utah, and other states. Representative solicitations include the Bartow County School System RFP 10-2026-019 for local fresh fruits and vegetables (due June 22, 2026; 400-mile sourcing radius with emphasis on seasonal availability and farm traceability), the Dougherty County Board of Education sealed bid for fresh produce covering 40 line items including fennel-adjacent items like carrots and leafy greens (due June 16, 2026), the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Invitation for Bid IW253099 for white potatoes for canning (due June 23, 2026), and the Meriden Public Schools RFP 02641 for commercial groceries and produce to 13 school sites with an anticipated contract value of approximately $3.1 million (due February 25, 2026). School districts frequently require produce delivered five days per week between 6:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., compliance with Buy American provisions and USDA Child Nutrition Reimbursable standards, and minimum shelf-life guarantees of five to fourteen days. Set-asides and preferences vary by jurisdiction; Georgia emphasizes local sourcing within specified mileage radii, Texas applies service-disabled veteran and in-state vendor preferences, and several districts encourage but do not mandate participation from small, minority-owned, or women-owned businesses. Prices are typically fixed for initial contract periods (often 12 months) with redetermination provisions tied to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service reports or Consumer Price Index data.