UNSPSC 50456856: Frozen organic taro

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

UNSPSC 50456856 Frozen organic taro is a Commodity code that nominally names a single produce item, yet the recent state and local opportunities tagged under it reflect a much broader procurement pattern: school districts and state agencies are buying comprehensive food-service supplies for child nutrition and institutional feeding programs, including fresh produce, frozen foods, grocery staples, eggs, dairy, proteins, and related kitchen supplies. The issuing bodies are predominantly public school systems — Early County Board of Education, City Schools of Decatur, Rockwood R-VI School District, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, and Dallas Independent School District — along with state-level agencies in Georgia and specialized cooperative procurement vehicles such as the GEC Buying Cooperative serving 30 school districts across two Georgia regions. The solicitations emphasize Buy American compliance, HACCP plan maintenance, food recall procedures, firm pricing, and adherence to USDA meal program requirements including whole-grain standards, low-sodium formulations, and domestic sourcing preferences. Quantities are substantial — ranging from approximately 32,000 meals daily across a single school district to over 900 line items spanning snacks, produce, proteins, and prepared entrees — and contracts typically run July through June with renewal options extending up to three to five years.

Recent activity concentrates in Georgia and Missouri, with the strongest cluster in Georgia school districts posting multiple RFPs and RFQs between February and June 2026. The Douglas County School System issued separate RFPs for fresh produce and eggs (estimated $4.4 million Area One, $1.1 million Area Two, due March 4, 2026) and food supply and distribution services (estimated $9 million annually, due February 18, 2026). The City Schools of Decatur issued an IFB for frozen foods and grocery items (due May 15, 2026, with pre-bid conference April 29, 2026) requiring $1 million general liability insurance and quarterly price-adjustment review. The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System solicited fresh produce contracts for 72 line items across 60 school sites (due April 23, 2026), and Early County Board of Education sought comprehensive food bids including 300+ food items and 60 non-food supplies (due June 8, 2026, with six-month price escalation caps at 3 percent). Outside Georgia, the Rockwood R-VI School District in St. Louis County, Missouri issued a grocery procurement covering over 900 line items (due April 29, 2026 via NUTRIKIDS system) and Dallas Independent School District in Texas issued an RFP for specialized food products not covered in main commodity bids (due April 2, 2026). The State of Georgia posted a general food supplies and kitchen products bid (due June 22, 2026) and an IFB for fresh produce (due May 27, 2026). All awards require responsive, responsible vendors meeting insurance minimums typically ranging from $500,000 to $2 million in general liability coverage, federal compliance certifications, and demonstrated experience with institutional food service.