Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products

The Education Authority NI

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

27 Mar 2026 at 16:06

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

23 Feb 2026 at 17:24

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

25 Nov 2025 at 14:14

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

21 Nov 2025 at 16:10

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

07 Jul 2025 at 11:21

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Education Authority NI has awarded a contract for the supply and delivery of fresh fruit, vegetables, and related products to school meal kitchens across Northern Ireland. The procurement process, initiated through the open procedure, concludes with Henderson Foodservice Ltd as the contracted supplier. Valued at approximately £16,800,000, the contract spans from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, with an option to extend up to an additional 36 months. The contract is accessible to various educational bodies within Northern Ireland, reflecting the industry's public authority-central government classification, with regulations specific to Northern Ireland applicable.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses specialised in agricultural produce, particularly those involved in supplying fruit and vegetables. It is ideally suited for businesses that can consistently meet quality and delivery KPIs. SMEs and larger firms can benefit from engaging with a stable client like the Education Authority NI, looking to fulfil a significant ongoing demand. Companies with experience in the food supply chain who are well-equipped to comply with the contractual obligations and demonstrate robust service delivery are positioned well to bid for this contract whenever opportunities to compete arise again.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products

Notice Description

Supply and delivery of Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products to school meals kitchens within Northern Ireland. Contract period : 01 April 2026 - 31 March 2029 with options to extend for any additional period(s) of up to and including 36 months. The estimated value is PS16,800,000. This Contract is established by the Education Authority and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows, who at some point, during the life of the Contract may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access at any point, with the permission of EA. This Contract is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or nonparticipating institutions may already have in place. Department of Education - Schools Plus https://www.educationni.gov.uk/services/schoolsplus Primary and Post Primary schools under the control of the EA, Catholic Maintained Schools Independent Schools in NI, Irish Medium Schools in NI, both Controlled and Voluntary Grammar Schools, Nursery School for NI (both controlled, and Catholic Maintained), Schoolmeals kitchens on-site at all of these schools, and Controlled Youth Centres. Further Education Colleges in NI : https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further educationfecolleges NICIE - https://nicie.org/ Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI Independent Schools in NI https://www.isc.co.uk/schools/northern-ireland/ EA Teachers' and Educational Centres Council for the Curriculum, Examination and Assessment NI (CCEA) Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Middletown Centre for Autism Controlled Schools Support Council (CSSC) Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) Pre-Schools and Nurseries included within the EA Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP) N.B. Estimated values stated, both including and excluding VAT are the same as VAT is not applicable to the goods included under this procurement

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Additional items may be added to the Contract throughout the Term with the agreement of both the Buyer and the Supplier. This may include any Unprepared or Pre Prepared Fruit and Vegetables options that may be required throughout the duration of the Contract.

Renewal: Options to extend for any additional period(s) of up to and including 36 months

Planning Information

PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE (PME) for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables for the Education Authority. Interested suppliers are asked to complete and return the questionniare.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0559b9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028707-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

CPV Codes

15000000 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

15300000 - Fruit, vegetables and related products

15310000 - Potatoes and potato products

15312000 - Potato products

15313000 - Processed potatoes

15330000 - Processed fruit and vegetables

15331000 - Processed vegetables

15331100 - Fresh or frozen vegetables

15331110 - Processed root vegetables

15331120 - Processed tuber vegetables

15331130 - Beans, peas, peppers, tomatoes and other vegetables

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£16,800,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£16,800,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
£16,800,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£16,800,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Mar 20265 months ago
Submission Deadline
22 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
25 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
23 Feb 20266 months ago
Contract Period
1 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2031-11-21

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
The Education Authority NI
Additional Buyers

the Education Authority

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT1 2NQ
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Duncairn
Westminster Constituency
Belfast North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Henderson Foodservice Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...