UNSPSC 50446103: Frozen giant winter spinach

The variety of spinach known as giant winter spinach that has been frozen for preservation.

UNSPSC 50446103 Frozen giant winter spinach, a Commodity code, encompasses frozen vegetable products that state and local governments procure primarily for institutional food service — correctional facilities, state hospitals, state supported living centers, school districts, and senior services programs. Recent solicitations show state and local buyers sourcing frozen vegetables as a line item within broader food supply contracts rather than as standalone specialty buys; frozen spinach appears as one commodity within mixed frozen vegetable procurements serving kitchens that operate on high-volume, standardized menus. The issuing bodies are predominantly state agencies (Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Oregon Department of Corrections, State of Illinois), county governments (Gwinnett County Georgia, Montgomery County Pennsylvania), and school districts (Bridgeport Board of Education, Burke County Public Schools, Early County Board of Education). State procurement offices lead the volume, particularly in Texas and Oregon, with school nutrition programs and correctional facilities as the largest end-use categories. Specification-driven buying dominates: vendors must meet USDA grade standards, freeze-temperature requirements (typically 0°F or lower at removal from storage, 10°F or lower at delivery), minimum shelf-life thresholds (commonly six months), HACCP compliance, and FDA/USDA standards; "or approved equivalent" language is standard, allowing substitute brands when functional and quality parity is demonstrated.

Oregon Department of Corrections and Texas HHSC are repeat buyers posting multiple ITBs and IFBs on frozen produce within the recent window. Oregon's July 2026 frozen corn solicitation (S2910000017451, 40,000 pounds at $0.498/pound reference pricing, ITB due July 24) and August 2026 mixed frozen vegetable solicitation (S2910000017692, 360,000 pounds across broccoli, corn, mixed blends, and green beans, ITB due August 20, both citing Alpine Food Group and Robbins Sales as prior awardees) show institutional sourcing at scale. Texas HHSC's July 2026 comprehensive frozen food procurement (IFB HHS0017338, 106 line items, $9 million estimated annual volume with $19 million potential contract value including renewal options, due August 18) and multiple state-supported living center procurements (Mexia and El Paso facilities, due August 25 and July 13 respectively) anchor the market. School districts including Bridgeport (Connecticut), Burke County (Georgia), Early County (Georgia), and Ben Hill County (Georgia) issued food bids in May and June 2026 with frozen vegetables as line items, each requiring compliance with Buy American provisions (51% domestic agricultural content), HACCP plans, and delivery to multiple school sites. Geographic activity concentrates in Texas, Oregon, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, with secondary activity in Connecticut and New Jersey. Award patterns typically favor single broadline vendors offering weekly or monthly standing orders with emergency-delivery backup stock, FOB destination pricing bundling freight and fuel, and capacity to serve 15+ sites statewide; price adjustments are capped (commonly 8–10% at renewal) and require advance notice with CPI or USDA Agricultural Marketing Service documentation.