UNSPSC 50405708: Specialty potatoes

The variety of potatoes known as specialty potatoes

UNSPSC 50405708 Specialty potatoes, a Commodity code, comprises fresh potatoes in specialized forms—including french fries, hash brown patties, and other processed potato products—procured by state agencies for institutional food service, correctional facilities, school nutrition programs, and senior services. Recent solicitations show state and local governments purchasing specialty potatoes as components of broader food service and canteen supply contracts rather than as standalone line items; the code appears in mixed bundles alongside frozen vegetables, prepared entrees, and disposables for facilities ranging from state-supported living centers to prison food warehouses to school cafeterias. The issuing bodies are state departments (primarily Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Illinois Department of Corrections, and Illinois Department of Mental Health), school districts (Madison Metropolitan School District, Bartow County Schools, Bryan County Schools, Dougherty County Board of Education, Early County Board of Education), counties (Collier County), and special-purpose entities (Head Start of Greater Dallas). Texas agencies dominate recent activity, with multiple TDCJ solicitations for bulk potatoes (white and sweet) for institutional canning and food warehouse supply, while Illinois corrections and mental health facilities and Georgia school nutrition programs round out the issuing-body mix.

Texas leads recent procurement activity under this code. Representative opportunities include the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's IFB IW253099 for bulk white potatoes due June 23, 2026, and IFB IW253121 for sweet potatoes for canning due the same date, both submitted through the TDCJ Procurement Portal; the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's multiple IFBs for consumables and food service groceries at state-supported living centers (Lufkin and Mexia) that embed frozen and prepared potatoes among 20-40 line items, with responses due August 25, 2026; and the Illinois Department of Corrections' IFB 27426DOCJOLIEB53849 for fresh produce delivery to Joliet Treatment Center due September 3, 2026, specifying potatoes alongside other vegetables for bi-weekly delivery. School-level activity includes Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4163 for fresh fruit and vegetable snacks (including potatoes as potential items) due July 29, 2026, sourced within Wisconsin and 400 miles of Madison, and the Bartow County School System's RFP 10-2026-019 for local fresh fruits and vegetables due June 22, 2026, with contract award anticipated July 20, 2026, covering a July 2026 through June 2027 term. Senior services procurement appears in the City of San Antonio's RFP 26-070 for produce market operations at senior centers due May 27, 2026. Institutional food service contracts typically require FOB Destination pricing, compliance with USDA standards or grading, liability insurance of $500,000 to $1 million, and bi-weekly to weekly delivery schedules; correctional and state facility bids demand E-Verify certification, debarment verification, and prevailing-wage compliance under state law.