U Marketing and

Regulatory

Programs

Agricultural

Marketing

Service

Specialty

Crops

Program

Commodity Specification 

for Fresh Vegetables

May 2019
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Commodity Specification for Fresh Vegetables

Table of Contents

GENERAL..................................................................................................................................... 1

U.S. Standards................................................................................................................................. 1

Exceptions to U.S. Standards.......................................................................................................... 1

Product Origin................................................................................................................................. 1

Kosher Products.............................................................................................................................. 2

Packing Season ............................................................................................................................... 2

LABELS and PACKAGING ....................................................................................................... 2

Primary Containers (Cartons, Crates, RPCs, Bags, Sacks)............................................................. 2

PALLETIZATION REQUIREMENTS ..................................................................................... 3

Pallets.............................................................................................................................................. 3

Unitization....................................................................................................................................... 3

Shipment and Delivery.................................................................................................................... 3

Quantity Tolerance...................................................................................................................... 3

Prerequisites.................................................................................................................................... 3

INDIVIDUAL COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................. 4

Corn (Husked)............................................................................................................................. 4

Onions......................................................................................................................................... 4

Potatoes....................................................................................................................................... 5

Sweet Potatoes............................................................................................................................ 6

Tomatoes..................................................................................................................................... 6

INSPECTION AND CHECK-LOADING.................................................................................. 6

Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 6

Procedures....................................................................................................................................... 6

FAILURE TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................ 7

EXHIBITS ..................................................................................................................................... 8

Exhibit 1 - Symbols for Kosher Products....................................................................................... 8
Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: May 2019 Page 1 of 8

GENERAL

U.S. Standards

Fresh vegetables (product/commodity) produced under this Commodity Specification must 

meet the requirements specified in the applicable United States Standards for Grades of Fresh 

Vegetables (U.S. Standards) or Commercial Item Description (CID) effective on the date of the 

Solicitation/Invitation for Bid (IFB). The U.S. Standards and CIDs are published separately and 

are incorporated herein and made a part of this Commodity Specification.

Exceptions to U.S. Standards

Additional exceptions may be specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB. Any exceptions 

contained in the applicable Solicitation/IFB shall have precedence over the requirements 

contained herein, for that Solicitation/IFB only.

Product Origin

1. Commodities delivered pursuant to this Commodity Specification shall have originated 

from crops that have been 100 percent grown, processed, and packed in the United 

States, its territories or possessions, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Trust 

Territories of the Pacific Islands, (hereinafter referred to as the United States). See the 

Master Solicitation.

2. If the contractor handles any commodity originating from sources other than the United 

States, the contractor must have a written plan to segregate the commodity. This 

segregation plan will include an identification and record system for all commodities to 

ensure they are completely segregated and cannot be used to fulfill purchase orders 

awarded by USDA. Such segregation plan must be made available, within 10 days of 

purchase order award, to representatives of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

3. The contractor must maintain positive written documentation records evidencing 100 

percent domestic origin to the grower level. Contractors must also ensure that the 

documentation provided by any subcontractors demonstrates the same level of 

traceability. The burden of proof of compliance is on the contractor.

Documentation may include load or warehouse storage receipts for raw product (i.e., bin 

tags), product blend (formulation) records, product coding explanations, finished 

product warehousing records, shipping or payment records, or other documentation or 

evidence that clearly establishes the product's domestic origin.

4. Contractors must provide the domestic origin certification and supporting 

documentation records to representatives of the AMS Fruit and Vegetable Program,

Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division (USDA Inspector) when requesting 

inspection service. USDA Inspectors will select and review at least one code for each 

purchase order to determine compliance with the Agency's domestic origin 

requirements.
Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: May 2019 Page 2 of 8

5. Such records must be available for review by the Government in accordance with FAR 

52.214-26. In the event of an audit, AMS auditors will examine as many codes as is 

necessary to verify compliance.

6. Self-certifications by contractors and subcontractors will not be accepted.

7. Failure to observe this requirement may lead to suspension or debarment, purchase 

order termination, and penalties at Title 18, Section 1001 of the U.S. Code concerning 

falsification of information.

Kosher Products

Occasionally, USDA solicits offers to sell KOSHER products. Such products are identified on 

the solicitation with the letter “K” incorporated into the WBSCM material descriptions. These 

products shall comply with applicable dietary (kosher) laws as established by the “613 Council 

of Kashruth.” Manufacturing plants shall be certified for compliance with the aforementioned 

requirement by contacting the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York (BJENY) at 646-

472-5366. At no cost to the vendor, a rabbinic supervisor will be sent to certify compliance of 

the manufacturing plant with the dietary (kosher) laws. Vendors must not bid on these purchase 

units unless they can be properly certified. 

For other products, when commercial Kosher certification is requested in the solicitation, 

products must bear one of the Kosher certification symbols illustrated in Exhibit 1.

Packing Season

All fresh vegetables must be from the current packing season/crop year, unless otherwise 

specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB.

LABELS AND PACKAGING

Primary Containers (Cartons, Crates, RPCs, Bags, Sacks)

1. Vendors have the option to use commercial labeling and packaging which meets all 

applicable FDA requirements and contains a code which allows traceability of the 

product in the event of a recall or they may use non-commercial packaging and labeling 

as specified in the Master Solicitation. 

a. All products shall be packed in new, good, clean primary containers so 

constructed as to ensure acceptance by common carrier or other carrier for safe 

storage and transportation for domestic shipment.

b. If a specific variety, size, and/or color are required per the solicitation, that 

variety, size, and/or color shall also be listed on the primary container.

2. Secondary Containers (Bags)
Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: May 2019 Page 3 of 8

a. Vendors shall use commercially acceptable secondary containers which meet all 

applicable FDA requirements and contain a code which allows traceability of the 

product in the event of a recall.

b. In addition to any commercial markings, each secondary container shall show the 

grower or shipper name(s) and address. If a specific variety, size, and/or color are 

required per the solicitation, that variety, size, and/or color shall also be listed on 

the secondary container.

c. Two or more different commercial labels will not be acceptable within a shipping 

unit (truck load).

PALLETIZATION REQUIREMENTS

Pallets

Products must be on 48 X 40-inch, non-reversible, flush stringer, and partial four-way entry. New 

pallets must be good quality wood. Used pallets must be No.1 hardwood or its equivalent in new 

softwood. Broken or damaged pallets are unacceptable. If pallet exchange is desired, the 

contractor shall arrange for pallet exchange with consignees. USDA is in no way responsible for 

arrangement of pallet exchange.

Unitization

Each delivery unit of canned fruit must be unitized. Shipping cases must be stacked and secured 

from top to bottom, so that each container and layer of containers becomes an integral part of 

the pallet. Either stretch wrapping with plastic film or “lock ‘n pop” is acceptable. The palletized 

product must be loaded in the conveyance in such a way that will prevent shifting and damage to 

the containers of product.

Shipment and Delivery

Quantity Tolerance

Contractor will be allowed a tolerance on the final delivery of plus or minus 50 cases of 

each product, from each shipping point in the purchase order.

Prerequisites

1. All vendors and/or suppliers providing fresh vegetables shall undergo a good 

agricultural practices and good handling practices audit of their operations. The audit 

must be conducted by the USDA, AMS, Specialty Crops Program, SCI Division or 

licensed Federal-State auditors providing services under a cooperative agreement with 

USDA oversight. The audit conducted may be either the USDA Good Agricultural

Practices & Good Handling Practices (GAP&GHP) audit, the Produce GAPs 

Harmonized Food Safety Audit, or the Tomato Audit Protocol audit, whichever is 
Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: May 2019 Page 4 of 8

applicable to the commodity being purchased.

2. The audit must cover all parts of the operation which are applicable to the commodity

being purchased. For example, a tomato purchase would require an audit of the fields, 

packing house, and storage facilities.

3. A copy of the three acceptable audit standards is available on the USDA website at 

www.ams.usda.gov/gapghp, or from your local USDA or Federal-State inspection 

office. A listing of USDA and Federal-State inspection offices are also available on 

the website listed above.

INDIVIDUAL COMMODITY SPECIFICATIONS

All inspection to be performed at destination unless otherwise specified in the applicable 

Solicitation/IFB. It is the contractor’s responsibility to arrange for the inspection.

Corn (Husked)

1. Grade - U.S. No. 1, Husked.

2. Cartons – packing shall be at least fairly tight or fairly well filled.

3. Size – 4 inch minimum unless otherwise specified; Per Pallet – 80

4. Net weight – 24 pounds; Gross weight – 26 pounds.

5. Top ice is required on all shipments.

6. Refrigerated shipment at 34° to 36° F.

Onions

1. Grade – U.S. No. 1 or better (en route or at destination tolerances apply).

2. Size - Repacker/Prepacker (minimum diameter 1 3⁄4 inches and maximum diameter 3 

inches) with at least 60 percent 2 inches or larger in diameter.

3. Onions in each offer unit ordered delivered by USDA shall contain product of not more 

than three (3) adjacent sizes. Each size shall be segregated in the shipment with a 

minimum of intermingling of the sizes. If shipment is by truck, the contractor shall note 

the location and count of each size in the truck (front, center and tail) on the shipping

manifest.

4. Types of Pack - bags – 10/5lb. Mesh sacks to a shipping container.

5. Must be yellow or white color only.
Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: May 2019 Page 5 of 8

Potatoes

1. Grade - U.S. No. 1.

2. Washed.

3. Pack Size Requirement –

a. 50 pounds cartons, size 100 or 110 

b. 50-pound paper bags, size A except, 2 inch minimum or 4 ounce minimum and 

contain at least 40 percent which are 2 1⁄2 inches in diameter or larger or 6 ounces 

in weight or more

c. 10/5-pound bags, size A except, 2 inch minimum or 4 ounce minimum and 

contain at least 40 percent which are 2 1⁄2 inches in diameter or larger or 6 ounces 

in weight or more.

4. Packing shall be at least fairly tight or fairly well filled.

5. Types of varieties –

Container Size Types of Varieties Material Code

50-pound carton or bag Russet 100340

10/5-pound bag Russet 101017

10/5-pound bag Round White Skin 101019

10/5-pound bag Red Skin 110990

10/5-pound bag

As specified in the Solicitation/IFB. 

For possible variety types see 

below.

111151

50-pound carton

As specified in the Solicitation/IFB. 

For possible variety types see 

below.

111160

Types of varieties that may be specified in the Solicitation/IFB material code 111151 and 

111160 are:

a. Russet, Baking

b. Round, White Skin

c. Red Skin

d. Yellow Flesh

Vendor must supply product and packaging type that is specified in the Solicitation/IFB 

and the individual line items. 
Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: May 2019 Page 6 of 8

6. The grade requirements referred herein are defined in the United States Standardsfor

Grades of Potatoes, effective on the date of the Solicitation/IFB.

Sweet Potatoes

1. Grade – U.S. No.1

2. Washed

3. Pack Requirement – 40 lb. Carton

Tomatoes

1. Grade – U.S. Combination Grade, with at least 85% U.S. No. 1 Quality.

2. The tomatoes shall be 5x6 (Florida size). In instances where the tomatoes were not 

packed to an “official” size, a minimum diameter of 2 25/32 inches will be required.

3. A minimum of 80% of the tomatoes in the lot must be either Turning or Pink.

INSPECTION AND CHECK-LOADING

Requirements

1. Representatives of the AMS, Specialty Crops Program, SCI Division (USDA Inspector) 

must perform the inspection and check-loading (see the Master Solicitation). The cost of 

inspection, samples taken for inspection, mailing of review samples submitted for 

evaluation, and any chemical analysis required for testing shall be for the account of the 

Contractor.

2. USDA inspection of fresh vegetables must be performed at destination unless otherwise 

specified in the applicable Solicitation/IFB. The count (number) of packages shall be 

certified by Federal or Federal-State Inspection Service (see the Master Solicitation). 

The acceptability of the quality and packing of the product must be evidenced by 

certificates issued by the USDA Inspector.

3. Representative sample units will be graded according to the Regulations Governing 

Inspection and Certification of Fresh Vegetables and Related Products (7 C.F.R. part 

51), and United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers (7 C.F.R. part 

42.140), effective on the date of the Solicitation/IFB.

Procedures

The Contractor must give the USDA Inspector at least 72 hours advance notice when 

scheduling inspection service. Contractors are encouraged to submit requests for inspection in 

writing with verifiable receipt notice, such as fax log, to alleviate possible 

miscommunication.
Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: May 2019 Page 7 of 8

FAILURE TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS

Any lot which fails applicable specifications prescribed herein will be rejected as not 

acceptable for delivery. If any lot of fresh vegetables fails to meet the product or packaging 

requirement, the Contractor may request in writing that USDA accept delivery of the lot. 

USDA may at its option, accept delivery, provided that the purchase price is the purchase order 

price less a discount, to be determined by the Contracting Officer.
Commodity Specification Fresh Vegetables

Effective Date: May 2019 Page 8 of 8

EXHIBITS

Exhibit 1 - Symbols for Kosher Products