UNSPSC 50406328: Zephyr squash

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

UNSPSC 50406328 Zephyr squash is a Commodity code that captures fresh squash procured by state and local education and institutional buyers, specifically zucchini and summer squash varieties delivered as part of school meal programs, child nutrition services, and correctional facility food service operations. The code sees active procurement across school districts, state departments of criminal justice, and county school nutrition programs. Recent solicitations reflect a focus on ready-to-eat produce delivery to K–12 campuses and institutional kitchens, with vendors required to manage cold-chain logistics, food safety documentation, and compliance with USDA Child Nutrition Reimbursable or institutional meal standards. Issuing bodies span large urban school districts (Northside ISD in San Antonio, Austin ISD, McAllen ISD in Texas; Hillsborough County Schools in Florida; Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin), county and regional school systems across Georgia (Bartow County, Dougherty County, Bryan County, Glynn County, Liberty County, Muscogee County), specialized child nutrition agencies (Head Start of Greater Dallas), and state correctional departments (Texas Department of Criminal Justice), indicating sustained institutional demand across multiple jurisdictions and program types.

Activity concentrates in the South and Southwest, with dominant recent posting activity in Texas (TDCJ produce bids, multiple school district RFPs), Georgia (five-plus school system fresh-produce solicitations posted March–May 2026), and Florida (Hillsborough County's USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program contract). Representative opportunities include Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4163 for fresh fruit and vegetable snacks (due July 29, 2026, emphasizing 400-mile Wisconsin sourcing and $0.20/lb organic preference), Northside Independent School District's RFP 2026-048 for fresh produce delivery to 127 campuses (proposals due May 7, 2026, with 35% weight on price), Hillsborough County Public Schools' cost-plus fixed-fee FFVP contract for specialty produce to 18 elementary schools (proposals due March 11, 2026, $600,000 estimated annual budget), and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's bulk carrot procurement (IFB IW241979-A, 1,200 tons, March 17, 2026 deadline). School districts and institutional buyers typically specify weekly or twice-weekly delivery windows, traceability documentation, HACCP certification, $1 million general liability insurance, and strict compliance with USDA Buy American and food safety standards; pricing is often quoted per pound or per case with firm pricing terms for contract duration and redetermination tied to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service indices.