Fresh Produce Services

The district in Escondido, California seeks local suppliers to provide and deliver fresh produce to students in compliance with federal meal requirements.

Submit one digital copy via flash drive and one printed copy of bid packet
Submit bids on provided forms, properly executed in ink or typed, without unauthenticated erasures or corrections
Examine specifications and forms, inform themselves of conditions and logistics, and ensure accurate unit and extended costs
Ensure all prices include all costs (labor, fuel, containers, utilities) and no additional fuel surcharges
Deliver sealed bids to District Services Center by deadline, with bid description and company name on envelope
Provide evidence of understanding nutrition components and accurate specifications
Comply with business and health department permit and certification processes
Demonstrate strong past performance and reference feedback from similar school districts
Adhere to bid deadlines and logistical delivery and product specifications
Complete all required forms from the bid packet
For Section I, list a flat percentage above or below average 'mostly market' prices for all items
For Section II, offer one firm-fixed price per line item for at least 95% of items
If unable to offer a product, enter 'No Bid'
Be in the business called for in this bid for at least three (3) years
Provide a list of local farms and specific produce items for the local produce program
Submit Alcohol and Tobacco-Free District certification
Submit Drug-Free Workplace Certification
Submit Certifications and Disclosures (Suspension, Debarment, Lobbying, Disclosure of lobbying activities if applicable)
Submit Buy American Certification Form
Secure and maintain all required licenses and permits
Register annually with CDHS-FDB and provide a copy of current Public Health Permit
Comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws
Provide workers' compensation insurance at minimum California requirements or greater
Provide Public Liability Insurance of $1,000,000.00/$3,000,000.00
Provide Property Damage Insurance of $1,000,000.00/$3,000,000.00
Provide Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance of $1,000,000.00
Furnish Certificate of Insurance within thirty (30) days of contract effective date
General liability policy must include District, board members, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers as additional insureds
Notify District of cancellation or reduction in insurance limits at least thirty (30) days prior
Provide replacement insurance within ten (10) days of cancellation notice
Ensure refrigerated food products are loaded and transported at temperatures not exceeding 40°F
Deliver all products in clean, refrigerated trucks and clean cases/boxes
Ensure all product received is servable
Use FDA approved packaging materials suitable for food contact
Supplier's distribution facility must be registered with the Food and Drug Administration and meet Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act and FDA Food Safety Modernization Act requirements
Process all products according to health and sanitation standards (locality, state, or federal, whichever is higher)
Follow First-In-First-Out (FIFO) stock rotation system
Screen prepared/processed produce items by a metal detector
Ensure finished prepared/processed produce is no more than three (3) days old upon receipt
Guarantee unopened prepared/processed produce remains fresh for at least five (5) days from delivery date
Provide trace back capabilities for all products to point of origin in case of contamination
Notify District if any processed raw food products are not supplied domestically and originate from outside the United States
Provide Los Angeles Terminal Prices, Fruit and Vegetable Market News reports twice weekly via email
Maintain a food safety system based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles and provide documentation within thirty (30) days of award

Legal notice published in the Daily Transcript on March 13th, 2026.

Second publication on March 23rd, 2026.

Bid Document published online and emailed to interested vendors on March 13th, 2026.

Request for Information / Clarification deadline on April 9th, 2026 at 4:00 PM.

Responses to vendor questions posted via online addendum on April 13th, 2026 no later than 4:00 PM.

Sealed bids must be received no later than April 22nd, 2026 at 2:00 PM.

Anticipated award at EUHSD Governing Board meeting on May 12th, 2026.

Service start date (Summer school orders only until school year begins) on July 1st, 2026.

Escondido Union High School District

Organization overview and procurement intelligence available on paid plans.

A government authority in Escondido, California seeks a vendor to provide fresh produce services for a district serving approximately 6,335 students. The selected supplier will be responsible for delivering a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables directly to district campuses to ensure compliance with federal meal pattern requirements.

The district welcomes bids from local suppliers capable of reliably fulfilling and delivering scheduled produce orders. Vendors must ensure all offerings meet federal nutrition standards and support the daily food service needs of a large student population. All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted by April 13, 2026.

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