UNSPSC 50406409: Jersey sweet potatoes

The variety of sweet potatoes known as jersey sweet potatoes

UNSPSC 50406409 Jersey sweet potatoes, a Commodity code, represents a narrow product line within state and local food procurement — specifically fresh sweet potatoes sourced primarily for school nutrition programs, correctional facilities, and senior services. Recent solicitations show state and local buyers treating sweet potatoes as one item within broader fresh-produce or food-service contracts rather than as a standalone commodity, though the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has issued dedicated sweet potato bids for institutional canning operations. Issuing bodies span school districts (Madison Metropolitan, Bartow County, Dougherty County, Bryan County, Bulloch County, Northside Independent, Hillsborough County, and McAllen Independent in Texas and Georgia; Meriden Public Schools in Connecticut; Austin and Rockwood districts), county boards of education, state agencies (Texas Department of Criminal Justice, State of Georgia), and senior services departments (City of San Antonio). The code sees consistent activity from institutional food-service buyers seeking compliance with USDA Child Nutrition Program standards, Buy American provisions, and farm-to-school initiatives emphasizing local sourcing within 200–400 miles.

Geographic concentration is heavy in Texas and Georgia, with secondary activity in Florida, Connecticut, and Missouri. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has posted multiple IFBs for sweet potatoes and carrots for canning (IW253121 due June 23, 2026; IW242176 due March 3, 2026), while Georgia school districts dominate fresh-produce RFPs and RFQs spanning the state. Representative recent activity includes the Texas TDCJ sweet potato canning bid (IFB IW253121, due June 23, 2026), submitted electronically through the Bonfire Hub procurement portal; Bartow County Schools RFP 10-2026-019 for local fresh fruits and vegetables with a June 22, 2026 deadline, emphasizing produce grown within 400 miles; and Bulloch County Schools IFP for locally grown produce (including sweet potatoes) with a May 4, 2026 deadline and award anticipated for July 1, 2026. Evaluation typically weights cost at 30–40 percent, product quality and availability at 15–30 percent, and compliance with local-sourcing or farm-to-school preferences at 10–25 percent. Vendors must carry $500,000 to $2,000,000 in general liability insurance, maintain HACCP certification, comply with debarment and E-Verify requirements, and deliver on weekly or twice-weekly schedules with firm pricing for 60–90 days post-award or longer. The code shows steady activity driven by federal USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program funding and school nutrition budget cycles (July start dates predominate), with no signs of contraction.