UNSPSC 50406328: Zephyr squash

The variety of summer squashes and summer pumpkins known as zephyr squash

UNSPSC 50406328 Zephyr squash (Commodity) represents fresh produce supply to institutional food service operations across state agencies, corrections departments, school districts, and senior services programs. State and local governments buy zephyr squash and related fresh vegetables primarily for cafeteria, kitchen, and canteen operations at facilities including correctional institutions, state-supported living centers, mental health treatment centers, and school nutrition programs. Issuing bodies include state health and human services departments, departments of criminal justice, school districts, and county or city senior services divisions. The work solicited ranges from routine grocery procurement for institutional kitchens to specialized fresh-produce supply contracts tied to federal nutrition programs like the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and the National School Lunch Program.

Recent activity concentrates heavily in Texas and Georgia. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has solicited consumables and food service groceries for state-supported living centers at Lufkin and Mexia (IFB HHS0018082, HHS0017872, HHS0017799, HHS0017798) with response dates in August and late October 2026. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has posted multiple fresh-produce solicitations for food warehouses (IW267376 Palestine, IW267420 Snyder, IW267411 Wynne) due in mid-October 2026, along with bulk commodity procurements for white and sweet potatoes. Georgia school districts—Bartow County Schools, Dougherty County Board of Education, Bryan County Schools, and Early County Board of Education—have issued bids for fresh produce to support school nutrition programs, with response deadlines in May through June 2026. The Illinois Department of Corrections (Joliet) and Department of Mental Health (Madden Mental Health Center) each posted fresh-produce solicitations in August–September 2026. The Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin and Collier County Board of County Commissioners in Florida have also solicited produce or food-service contracts. Responses typically require F.O.B. Destination pricing, compliance with food-safety certifications, prevailing-wage documentation where applicable, and proof of commercial liability insurance. Award typically goes to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, with contract terms running one to three years and multiple renewal options common.