UNSPSC 50414509: Organic ruby romaine lettuce

The variety of organic lettuce known as organic ruby romaine lettuce

UNSPSC 50414509 Organic ruby romaine lettuce is a Commodity code that covers fresh produce procurement by state and local buyers, though recent opportunities reflect a broader food-service and institutional-produce buying pattern rather than organic romaine specifically. State and local governments procure produce through school districts, county parks and recreation departments, healthcare coalitions, and state agencies to support meal programs, concession operations, and food-service functions. The actual buying encompasses fresh fruits and vegetables sourced to meet operational needs, quality standards, delivery timelines, and volume requirements, with particular emphasis in school nutrition contexts where domestic sourcing preferences, whole-grain options, low-sodium formulations, and products without added sugars or artificial additives drive specification. Issuing bodies include independent school districts (Early County Board of Education), county government procurement divisions (Collier County), healthcare organizations (Marion Health Care Coalition), and state agencies (State of Georgia), reflecting fragmented procurement across multiple institutional customers.

Recent activity shows wide geographic spread across the Southeast and beyond. Early County Board of Education (Georgia) issued an IFB for line-by-line food bids including vegetables and fruits due June 8, 2026, covering approximately 300+ food items for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program across three schools with a contract period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Collier County Board of County Commissioners (Florida) issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for food services at North Collier Regional Park including concession operations due March 6, 2025, which encompasses fresh produce as part of broader food and beverage offerings. Marion Health Care Coalition solicited produce proposals with a due date of August 21, 2026 for the 2026-2027 contract period. The State of Georgia issued an IFB for food, supplies, and other kitchen products due June 22, 2026. School districts dominate institutional produce buying in this code's recent activity, driven by federal meal-program requirements and standardized procurement cycles.