UNSPSC 50444200: Frozen kale

The type of vegetable known as kale that has been frozen for preservation.

UNSPSC 50444200 Frozen kale, a Class code, does not reflect the actual scope of state and local procurement activity under recent solicitations. The code's nominal focus on frozen kale does not match the broad frozen and fresh vegetable procurement represented in current opportunities, which span frozen corn, frozen potato products, fresh produce, and assorted frozen vegetables across multiple commodity categories. State and local buyers—principally corrections departments, school districts, and health and human services agencies—are actively procuring frozen vegetables as part of institutional food service operations rather than kale specifically.

Oregon Department of Corrections and Texas Department of Criminal Justice dominate recent activity, with multiple ITBs for frozen vegetables posted in the second quarter of 2026; school districts in Georgia, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Virginia are simultaneously soliciting comprehensive grocery and produce contracts for child nutrition programs. The geographic spread is national, with heavy concentration in the South (Georgia, Texas) and the Pacific Northwest (Oregon), though activity spans Pennsylvania, Missouri, Illinois, Connecticut, Virginia, and New Jersey. Representative recent opportunities include Oregon Department of Corrections' ITB for frozen corn (posted July 10, 2026, due July 24, 2026, approximately 40,000 pounds at historical pricing around $0.498 per pound from prior award to Alpine Food), and Texas Department of Criminal Justice's IFB 304T-26-300CF for cafeteria food products across five geographic distribution areas (posted May 4, 2026, due May 4, 2026, covering approximately 382 line items including frozen specialty entrees and vegetables with FOB destination pricing). Correctional facilities consistently apply five to ten percent Oregon or in-state vendor preferences and require commercial general liability insurance of $500,000 to $2 million. School districts typically enforce Buy American requirements (minimum 51 percent domestic agricultural content), HACCP compliance, and firm fixed pricing for initial 30- to 60-day periods with subsequent adjustments tied to USDA or Consumer Price Index data. This code shows significant recent activity but with a mismatch between the nominal commodity (frozen kale) and the actual procurement scope (broad institutional frozen and fresh produce supply).