UNSPSC 50405634: Serrano peppers

The variety of peppers known as serrano peppers

UNSPSC 50405634 Serrano peppers is a Commodity code capturing a narrow produce line item that state and local governments procure primarily as part of broader fresh fruit and vegetable solicitations for school nutrition programs, child care facilities, and institutional food service. Recent opportunities show serrano peppers embedded within larger school district produce contracts rather than purchased as a standalone item—they appear in aggregated fresh-produce line items across numerous states, with sourcing governed by USDA Child Nutrition Reimbursable compliance, Buy American Act requirements, and traceability documentation for farm of origin. School districts, county boards of education, and state departments of criminal justice are the dominant issuing bodies, along with regional cooperative purchasing vehicles serving multiple districts. Work under this code spans ingredient supply for meal preparation, snacking programs funded through federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grants, and commodity-supported institutional feeding operations, with delivery typically required in fresh or ready-to-eat condition, packaged with labeling that includes delivery date, farm of origin, and best-by date.

Geographic activity clusters heavily in Georgia and Texas, with recent sealed bids and RFPs posted by school districts in Bryan County, Dougherty County, Glynn County, and Liberty County (Georgia), as well as the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and multiple Texas independent school districts including McAllen, Northside (San Antonio), and Austin. Representative opportunities include Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4163 for Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Snacks (due 29 July 2026), sourcing approximately 5,900 servings weekly from within 400 miles of Madison and Wisconsin, with 5% preference for Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program-certified vendors and a $0.20 per pound organic discount in price comparison; Bartow County School System's RFP 10-2026-019 for Local Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (due 22 June 2026), requiring 400-mile local sourcing from Georgia and seasonal variety documentation; and Hillsborough County Public Schools' RFP 26039RFQDST for Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program supply to 18 elementary schools (proposals due 11 March 2026, estimated annual budget $600,000), with cost-plus-fixed-fee-per-case pricing and federal compliance including Buy American provisions. Activity is strongest in spring and early summer 2026 as school districts finalize contracts for the 2026-2027 academic year, with most opportunities following IFB, RFP, or sealed-bid formats requiring HACCP certification, product traceability, $500,000 to $2,000,000 general liability insurance minimums, and compliance with federal food safety standards.