UNSPSC 50404613: Crisphead lettuces

The variety of lettuce known as crisphead lettuces

UNSPSC 50404613 Crisphead lettuces (Commodity) is procured by state and local governments primarily as fresh produce for school nutrition programs, senior services, and institutional food service operations. Recent solicitations show purchasing departments sourcing lettuce and related greens as components of broader fresh produce awards for child nutrition reimbursable meals, bulk food service supply to correctional facilities and other state institutions, and specialized programs such as the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Issuing bodies include school districts (both large urban systems and smaller rural districts), state departments of criminal justice, county boards of education, city senior services divisions, and regional cooperative purchasing entities. School districts represent the dominant buyer segment, with solicitations emphasizing USDA Child Nutrition Program compliance, local-produce preferences within defined geographic radii (typically 200–400 miles), and preference discounts for organic certification. Institutional procurement under this code frequently bundles lettuce and other greens with dozens of additional produce line items under single awards, with vendors required to meet detailed specifications on pack sizes, delivery frequency, food safety certifications (HACCP plans, traceability, 24/7 recall capability), and temperature-controlled transport. Set-asides and preferences vary by jurisdiction; some solicitations identify no disadvantaged-business restrictions, while others encourage small-business, minority-owned, or woman-owned participation or apply scoring weight to diverse-owned business status.

Geographic activity concentrates in Georgia and Texas, where multiple school districts and state agencies posted solicitations during spring 2026. Texas Department of Criminal Justice issued separate IFBs for carrots and white potatoes in June 2026 with brief procurement windows. Georgia school districts—including Bartow County, Dougherty County, Bryan County, Bulloch County, Glynn County, Liberty County, Muscogee County, Henry County, and Savannah-Chatham County—solicited fresh produce including lettuce through sealed bids or RFPs between March and July 2026, typically with response deadlines in April–June and contract terms running July 2026 through June 2027 with renewal options. Representative recent opportunities include Northside Independent School District (San Antonio, Texas) soliciting fresh produce under RFP 2026-048 due May 7, 2026 for delivery to 117 campuses five days per week; Hillsborough County Public Schools (Tampa, Florida) seeking specialty fruits and vegetables for 18 elementary schools under the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (RFP 26039RFPDST, proposals due March 11, 2026, estimated annual budget $600,000); and Madison Metropolitan School District (Wisconsin) requesting fresh fruit and vegetable snacks under RFB 4163 with response due July 29, 2026 for approximately 5,900 servings weekly, sourced within 400 miles and Wisconsin, with 5% preference for diverse-owned suppliers. Pricing structures vary from fixed unit prices to cost-plus-fixed-fee models, with most school districts requiring prices to remain firm for initial 60–90-day periods and then permitting adjustments based on USDA Agricultural Marketing Service or Consumer Price Index documentation.