Food Items for NC Farms to School Program 1st Half of SY 2026-2027

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food Distribution Division, is requesting bids on fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen fruits, and frozen meat products for the NC Farms to School Program serving North Carolina Public Schools during the first half of the 2026-2027 school year, with bids due August 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET and questions due August 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET.

The scope encompasses 23 product categories including apples, berries, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, watermelons, and frozen ground beef, with quantities ranging from 100 to 4,900 cases per item. All fresh produce must meet U.S. No. 1 grade standards and be accompanied by USDA fruit and vegetable inspection certification prior to shipment. All meat products must originate from USDA or state-inspected facilities bearing proper inspection marks. Vendors must hold current third-party audit certifications for GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) and HACCP or HARPC food safety protocols where applicable. Delivery occurs at two designated NCDA&CS locations: Salisbury Warehouse (160 Circle M Drive, Salisbury, NC 28147) and Creedmoor Warehouse (1015 Food Distribution Drive, Creedmoor, NC 27522), with scheduled deliveries between August 13, 2026, and January 22, 2027.

Vendors must be registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State and maintain good standing in the state's Electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) system. The procurement prioritizes vendors holding "NC Goodness Grows" membership. Vendors must provide all transportation and delivery costs on a Free-on-Board (FOB) Destination basis with delivery within 30 consecutive calendar days of purchase order receipt. Three customer references, proof of financial stability, and current certifications are required. The contract term extends from final execution through January 28, 2027, with the State reserving the right to extend beyond the active term. Award will be made to the responsive bid offering the lowest price; the State reserves the right to make separate awards to multiple vendors, reject all bids, or cancel the solicitation. North Carolina residents may request Executive Order #50 price-matching opportunities to match non-resident vendor pricing within specified ranges.