UNSPSC 50404604: Lolla rossa lettuce

The variety of lettuce known as lolla rossa lettuce

UNSPSC 50404604 Lolla rossa lettuce, a Commodity code, names a single fresh produce item that state and local governments procure primarily as part of broader institutional food service contracts—canteens, school nutrition programs, correctional facilities, mental health centers, senior services, and state-supported living centers. Recent solicitations show that lolla rossa lettuce is rarely solicited as a standalone line item; instead, it appears within large produce specifications requiring multiple lettuce varieties, leafy greens, or fresh vegetables delivered to institutional kitchens on regular schedules. The Illinois Department of Corrections' solicitation for Joliet Treatment Center (IFB 27426DOCJOLIEB53849, due September 3, 2026) specifies "bag lettuce with minimum 2-week expiration from receipt" among bi-weekly fresh produce deliveries, while the Dougherty County Board of Education in Georgia requested fresh produce including lettuce for 24 school nutrition sites (sealed bid PE64710NONST2027000000078, due June 16, 2026). The Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin bid for fresh fruit and vegetable snacks (RFB 4163, due July 29, 2026) requiring ready-to-eat, pre-processed leafy greens and other produce sourced within 400 miles. Issuing bodies span state correctional departments, state health and human services agencies operating supported living centers and mental health facilities, county school districts, municipal senior services, and Head Start child care programs.

Activity concentrates in Texas, Georgia, and Illinois, with recent posting dates spanning May through October 2026. Texas Health and Human Services Commission solicited food service consumables for multiple state-supported living centers (HHS0018082 for Lufkin, due October 23, 2026; HHS0017799 for Mexia, due August 25, 2026). The Texas Department of Criminal Justice posted multiple fresh fruit and vegetable bids for warehouse supply across prison food service operations (IW267376 Palestine, due October 19, 2026; IW267420 Snyder Food Warehouse, due October 14, 2026; IW267411 Wynne Food Warehouse, due October 14, 2026). Georgia school districts issued RFPs for local fresh produce and school nutrition supplies (Bartow County, due June 22, 2026; Bryan County, due May 27, 2026; Dougherty County, due June 16, 2026). Procurement methods include IFBs, sealed bids, and RFPs; most contracts run one fiscal year with optional renewal periods. Delivery terms universally require FOB Destination with vendor-borne freight, bi-weekly to weekly delivery schedules, temperature control, and compliance with USDA and food safety standards. The code sees steady institutional food service demand but limited pursuit potential—lettuce is commodity produce with thin margins, sold as part of larger produce packages rather than as a standalone contract vehicle.