USDA awards $130K for frozen peaches and strawberries, highlighting domestic food sourcing and agricultural support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $129,945 ($129.9K)

Contractor: Wawona Frozen Foods Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-07-15

Contract Duration: 96 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011247/4400002430/4100033985/PEACHES FREESTONE SLICES FRZ CTN-12/2 LB,STRAWBERRY WHOLE UNSWT IQF CTN-12/1 LB

Place of Performance

Location: CLOVIS, FRESNO County, CALIFORNIA, 93611

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $129,944.8 to WAWONA FROZEN FOODS INC for work described as: COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011247/4400002430/4100033985/PEACHES FREESTONE SLICES FRZ CTN-12/2 LB,STRAWBERRY WHOLE UNSWT IQF CTN-12/1 LB Key points: 1. Contract supports domestic agricultural producers by sourcing frozen fruits for federal food donation programs. 2. The award utilizes a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market for these commodities. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overruns for the government. 4. Delivery timeline is relatively short, indicating a need for timely fulfillment of food donation requirements. 5. The contract falls within the broader category of food manufacturing and distribution for federal assistance programs. 6. Geographic focus on California for sourcing aligns with major fruit-producing regions.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $130,000 for frozen fruit is modest. Without specific unit pricing or historical data for these exact items, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the use of full and open competition suggests that pricing was likely vetted against market rates. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while initial solicitations might have had exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. Eleven bids were received, demonstrating a healthy level of interest and competition among suppliers for these food commodities.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process with multiple bidders generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers by encouraging suppliers to offer their most favorable terms.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include recipients of USG food donations, likely low-income individuals and families. Services delivered involve the provision of essential food items: frozen peaches and strawberries. Geographic impact is national, as donated food reaches various communities across the US. Workforce implications are primarily within the food processing and logistics sectors, supporting jobs in these areas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions affecting timely delivery of perishable goods.
Ensuring consistent quality and nutritional value of frozen fruits across different suppliers.

Positive Signals

Supports domestic agriculture and food producers.
Competitive bidding process likely secured favorable pricing.
Fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Food Manufacturing sector, specifically the 'Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing' sub-sector. The market for supplying food commodities to government agencies is substantial, involving numerous producers and distributors. This award represents a small portion of the overall federal spending on food assistance and procurement, which often includes large-scale contracts for staple goods.

Small Business Impact

The contract details do not indicate a specific small business set-aside. Given the nature of frozen food processing and distribution, larger companies may be more likely to bid on such contracts. However, the competitive nature of the award could still allow for subcontracting opportunities with smaller businesses in logistics or specialized processing.

Oversight & Accountability

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) within the USDA is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight likely includes monitoring delivery schedules, product specifications, and payment processing. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USDA Food Donation Programs
National School Lunch Program
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Federal Food Purchase Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions
Ensuring consistent product quality

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $129,944.8 to WAWONA FROZEN FOODS INC. COMMODITIES FOR USG FOOD DONATIONS: 2000011247/4400002430/4100033985/PEACHES FREESTONE SLICES FRZ CTN-12/2 LB,STRAWBERRY WHOLE UNSWT IQF CTN-12/1 LB

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WAWONA FROZEN FOODS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Marketing Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $129,944.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-07-15.

What is the historical spending pattern for frozen fruit procurement by the USDA for donation programs?

Analyzing historical spending for similar frozen fruit commodities procured by the USDA for donation programs requires access to extensive procurement data over several fiscal years. Typically, such programs aim to support domestic agriculture while providing nutritional assistance. Spending can fluctuate based on agricultural yields, program needs, and budget allocations. For instance, a review of past contracts might reveal trends in the types of fruits procured (e.g., berries, peaches, apples), the quantities purchased, and the average price per pound. Fluctuations in commodity prices due to weather or market conditions would also be reflected in historical spending. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing whether the current award of approximately $130,000 is consistent with past procurement levels or represents a significant deviation.

How does the unit price of these frozen fruits compare to commercial market rates?

To compare the unit price of the frozen peaches and strawberries to commercial market rates, we would need the exact quantity (in pounds) associated with the $129,944.80 award. Assuming the award covers a specific total weight, we could calculate a price per pound. This calculated price would then be benchmarked against average wholesale or retail prices for similar frozen fruit products available in the commercial market, considering factors like grade, origin (domestic vs. imported), and packaging. Government contracts, especially those awarded through full and open competition, often aim to achieve prices at or below market rates due to bulk purchasing power and competitive bidding. However, specific quality standards or delivery requirements unique to government contracts could influence the final price.

What are the specific quality and nutritional standards required for these donated food commodities?

The specific quality and nutritional standards for USDA food donations are typically detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or product specification documents. For frozen fruits like peaches and strawberries, standards would likely address factors such as fruit maturity, absence of defects (bruising, mold, foreign material), processing methods (e.g., IQF - Individually Quick Frozen), packaging integrity, and shelf life. Nutritional standards would ensure the products meet basic requirements for vitamins and minerals, aligning with dietary guidelines for the intended recipients. Compliance with these standards is crucial for ensuring the safety, quality, and nutritional value of the food provided through federal donation programs, and vendors are usually required to provide documentation or undergo inspections to verify adherence.

What is the track record of WAWONA FROZEN FOODS INC. in fulfilling government contracts?

Assessing the track record of WAWONA FROZEN FOODS INC. in fulfilling government contracts would involve reviewing their past performance history in federal procurement databases. This includes examining the number of contracts awarded, their value, the agencies involved, and ratings on past performance. Key indicators to look for are on-time delivery rates, compliance with contract specifications (quality, quantity), and any history of contract disputes, terminations, or corrective actions. A positive performance history suggests reliability and capability, while a negative history might indicate potential risks. For this specific contract, the 'DELIVERY ORDER' type suggests it might be part of a larger contract vehicle or a task order under an existing agreement, further necessitating a review of the parent contract's performance if applicable.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader food security initiatives supported by the USDA?

This contract, valued at approximately $130,000 for frozen fruits, directly supports the USDA's food security initiatives by providing essential nutritional components for donation programs. These programs aim to alleviate hunger and improve access to healthy food for vulnerable populations, including low-income families, children, and the elderly. By procuring domestically produced frozen fruits, the USDA not only aids recipients but also supports American farmers and the food processing industry. The timely delivery of these commodities ensures that food banks and distribution networks have adequate supplies to meet demand. While this specific award is modest in the context of the entire federal food assistance budget, it represents a consistent effort to leverage federal purchasing power to address nutritional needs and bolster the agricultural supply chain.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing › Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUBSISTENCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 123J1425B0360

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 W ALLUVIAL AVE, CLOVIS, CA, 93611

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $129,945

Exercised Options: $129,945

Current Obligation: $129,945

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 123J1425D0047

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline