UNSPSC 50440000: Frozen vegetables

Plants cultivated for an edible part, as roots, stems, leaves or flower that have been frozen for preservation. Frozen vegetables are those that have been cooled to a temperature at which the vegetable generally becomes hard or rigid in nature. To qualify as being frozen the vegetable should have been subjected to a commercial process for freezing that reached a temperature in excess of -20 degrees Centigrade. Also includes freeze-drying of of these vegetables.

UNSPSC 50440000 Frozen vegetables, a Family code, describes state and local procurement of frozen vegetable products — corn, carrots, mixed assortments, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, peas, and stir-fry blends — for institutional food service, school nutrition programs, and state-supported living centers. Issuing bodies span state correctional departments, state health and human services agencies, school districts (elementary through high school), and county correctional facilities. Oregon Department of Corrections has posted multiple solicitations under this code in recent months, establishing it as a repeat buyer; Texas Health and Human Services Commission, state departments of transportation and criminal justice, and dozens of school districts across Georgia, Missouri, Texas, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and other states are active purchasers. Work being solicited ranges from small single-truckload purchases (40,000 pounds of frozen corn) to multi-line statewide contracts serving dozens of facilities or school districts with estimated annual values in the millions. Specifications emphasize FDA/USDA compliance, HACCP protocols, grade standards (typically Grade A or B), minimum shelf-life requirements (six months to one year), and strict temperature control at delivery.

Oregon Department of Corrections issued Invitation to Bid S2910000017451 for approximately 40,000 pounds of frozen sweet Golden or Yellow whole kernel corn with a response deadline of July 24, 2026, quoted per pound FOB Destination to Salem with a five percent Oregon-vendor preference plus five percent resident-bidder preference available. The same agency posted ITB S2910000017439 for 120,000 pounds of frozen potato products (french fries, wedges, tater tots) due July 24, 2026, with identical state preferences and historical reference pricing from prior awards (Alpine Food at $0.498 per pound for corn; JNS Foods at $0.3811 per pound for potatoes as of January 2026). Texas Health and Human Services Commission sought supplemental frozen and fresh food products for state hospitals and supported living centers under IFB HHS0016792V2, with a maximum three-year contract value of $4.5 million across 210 line items including frozen vegetables and specialty items, questions due March 5, 2026, and bids due March 19, 2026. Rockwood R-VI School District (Missouri) solicited grocery items including frozen vegetables for the 2026-27 school year by April 29, 2026 in NutriKids electronic format. City Schools of Decatur (Georgia) issued an IFB for frozen foods and grocery with sealed bids due May 15, 2026 for the 2026-27 school year. Geographic activity concentrates in Oregon (recurring ODOC solicitations), Texas (TDCJ, HHSC), Georgia (multiple school districts), Missouri (Rockwood), Connecticut (Bridgeport), and Pennsylvania (Montgomery County), with sporadic activity across other states. Recent opportunities span ITB, IFB, and RFP notice types; most school district contracts run July through June fiscal years with firm pricing for 30–365 days post-award, quarterly or semi-annual adjustment mechanisms indexed to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service or Consumer Price Index data, and Buy American provisions requiring minimum 51 percent domestic content. Competitive intensity is moderate to high — awards typically flow to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, with multiple vendors frequently supplying different line items or geographic regions. State and regional preferences (Oregon's 10 percent combined vendor preference, Texas HUB set-asides where applicable) create segmentation. Insurance minimums of $500,000 to $2 million general liability, HACCP certification, debarment compliance, and E-Verify enrollment are standard requirements.