Produce Bid

Description

Sevier County School - School Nutrition Program Fresh Produce Bid VERIFIABLE MARKET BID General As a vendor that has served Sevier County Schools you may wish to bid on Fresh Produce needed for the August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 time period. Enclosed are documents including bid conditions, specifications, and other information relating to the school nutrition program. If you wish to participate in the bid process, please return the signed agreement forms to the food service department no later than June 1, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. All of the items are to be purchased by and used in the School Nutrition Program. The objective of this invitation to bid is to select a produce supplier for fresh fruits and vegetables as requested in this verifiable market bid. This bid is being requested to select the supplier in such a manner as to provide for open and free competition and comparability. The district does take advantage of special purchases/deliveries from other sources such as the Department of Defense (DOD) produce program or locally grown produce. Section 9 (j) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(j)) is amended to encourage schools to purchase locally produced foods, to the maximum extent practicable and appropriate. In addition to the DOD produce program, Sevier County School Child Nutrition Program agrees to use the designated contract distributor as an additional source for fresh produce items and services as listed herein as well as for comparable substitutes. The law allows schools to use geographical preference for the procurement of locally produced foods. This agreement does not prohibit the district from making such purchases. These purchases may be made by school or district wide. Bidders are STRONGLY encouraged to enter into purchase agreements with local producers and supply those local products on the school nutrition bid. All food must be processed and packaged under the best possible sanitary conditions in accordance with local and State of Tennessee laws and Health regulations, and following the federal regulations in the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 1990. NOTE: Pages 2, 14, 15, 17, 18, and 19-23 require either a signature, initials by a person with authority to bind the bid or bid amounts and total cost. Bid Period 1 The bid period begins August 1, 2026 and ends July 31, 2027. Sealed written bids will be received at the time and place specified on the Invitation to Bid.