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Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products

THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Award

16 Oct 2026 at 16:23

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

03 Sep 2026 at 19:06

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

06 May 2026 at 16:35

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

20 Apr 2026 at 13:04

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

22 May 2025 at 12:37

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

22 May 2025 at 12:04

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) has established a framework for supplying and distributing whole and prepared fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh salad, dairy products and bread to its members and other eligible public bodies. The intended users include universities and other educational establishments, local authorities, central government, emergency services and NHS bodies. Delivery covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The framework is divided into 13 geographic areas: London, North West, North East, Yorkshire and Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, East, North Wales, South Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is designed to let suppliers compete for regional supply rather than requiring one supplier to cover the whole UK. TUCO expects multiple suppliers to be appointed in each area.

The open-procedure procurement is complete: suppliers have been selected and the framework contracts were signed on 23 September 2026. The awards were made on 3 September 2026; the framework period starts on 3 October 2026 and runs to 2 October 2028, with two possible one-year extensions, to 2 October 2030. The stated national estimate is £11.25 million annual spend and a maximum £45 million over four years, shared across the 13 areas; the published award value is £45 million for each lot. Multiple suppliers were appointed: London 11; North West 12; North East 9; Yorkshire and Humber 10; West Midlands 12; East Midlands 13; South East 12; South West 13; East 9; North Wales 8; South Wales 10; Scotland 4; Northern Ireland 2. Price and quality each carried 50% of the evaluation. SMEs were considered suitable.

This framework demonstrates substantial, geographically distributed demand for fresh produce and associated food supplies from TUCO and a broad range of public-sector organisations. Suppliers appointed included both SMEs and large businesses, and multiple suppliers were selected in each area, including two in Northern Ireland and four in Scotland. A credible competitor would need to source and distribute whole and prepared fruit and vegetables, salad, dairy and bread reliably within the area it serves. The evaluation gave equal weight to price and quality, so competitive product-schedule pricing needs to be supported by a convincing technical and service offer. The framework allows call-offs through direct appointment, ranked procedures or mini-competitions; suppliers would need to be equipped to provide clear line-item pricing and respond to the applicable call-off route. The lot structure shows that regional coverage can be relevant without UK-wide delivery capability.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products

Notice Description

The purpose of this planned procurement is to establish a closed Framework for the supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd. This procurement will follow an Open Procedure under Procurement Act 2023 regulations. The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030. The framework agreement which will cover supply to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be split into 13 geographic lots to encourage SMEs to participate. The aim is to award multiple suppliers across the 13 lots: * Lot 1 London * Lot 2 North West * Lot 3 North East * Lot 4 Yorkshire & Humber * Lot 5 West Midlands * Lot 6 East Midlands * Lot 7 South East * Lot 8 South West * Lot 9 East * Lot 10 North Wales * Lot 11 South Wales * Lot 12 Scotland * Lot 13 Northern Ireland Suppliers are not restricted to the number of lots they can apply for. The national annual spend through the Framework is estimated to be PS11.25m to a maximum PS45,000,000.00 over the full 4 years. Lot specific values are not known. The value nationally is shared between all geographic lots. The scope of products to be covered within the framework are as follows: Whole Fruit, Whole Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy Products & Bread Products.

Lot Information

Lot 1 London

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 2 North West

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 3 North East

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 4 Yorkshire & Humber

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 5 West Midlands

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 6 East Midlands

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 7 South East

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 8 South West

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 9 East

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 10 North Wales

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 11 South Wales

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 12 Scotland

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Lot 13 Northern Ireland

Renewal: The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 3rd October 2026 to 2nd October 2028 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 2nd October 2030.

Planning Information

The purpose of this notice is to provide interested parties with an overview of The University Caterer’s Organisation and insight into the forthcoming tender opportunity for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables. This notice is not an invitation to tender, but an invitation to prospective suppliers to contact the authority should they wish to receive a copy presentation providing an overview of TUCO Ltd and the Fruit & Vegetable tender. In preparation for the tender process, we have carried out market research using a feedback questionnaire with our members (customers) and incumbent suppliers, the key findings of which are detailed within the presentation which we are happy to share. The presentation also gives guidance on the procurement process and details about our tendering portal and how to register. We wish to ensure that all parties wishing to tender have access to the same information enabling them to consider the opportunity. In fairness to all parties, we will ensure that each supplier request for information regarding this procurement will be subject to the same response, sharing our pre-prepared overview presentation. Please contact the authority by email to kim.ashley@tuco.ac.uk and cc info@tuco.ac.uk to request an overview presentation regarding the opportunity.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051d33
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098162-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

CPV Codes

15300000 - Fruit, vegetables and related products

15510000 - Milk and cream

15550000 - Assorted dairy products

15811100 - Bread

15813000 - Morning goods

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£45,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£45,000,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£45,000,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
10 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
14 May 2026Expired
Award Date
3 Sep 20261 months ago
Contract Period
3 Oct 2026 - 2 Oct 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
2030-04-11

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M2 5GP
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Deansgate
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
26
Supplier Names

4DegreesC Ltd

ARTHUR DAVID (FOOD WITH SERVICE) LIMITED

Brakes

FIELD TO FORK PRODUCE LTD

Foodari Limited

Fresh Connect

FRESHVIEW FOODS LIMITED

LANGRIDGE ORGANIC PRODUCTS LIMITED

NATOORA LTD

PRESCOTT-THOMAS LTD

UNITED FRESH CONSORTIUM LIMITED

Set Produce Ltd

Dunsters Farm Ltd

Dole UK

Ribble Farm Fare Limited

Bidfresh Limited

Hallam Country Fresh Foods

Harlech Foodservice Ltd

Turner Price

Multihope Ltd

Millside Barrowcliffe

M. & W. Mack Limited

J & R Food Service Limited

Tamar Fresh Ltd

START FRESH LIMITED

McLays Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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