--- title: "Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-051d33" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-051d33" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051d33.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051d33.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED" published: "2026-05-06" --- # Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products Buyer: THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-051d33 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-051d33) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051d33.json) ## Summary The University Caterers Organisation Limited (TUCO Ltd) is currently in the tendering stage for a major public procurement initiative titled "Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products." This procurement process involves the supply and distribution of fresh produce and has been categorised under the goods industry. It encompasses a wide geographical area, covering England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and is structured into 13 geographic lots designed to encourage participation from SMEs. The procurement is conducted under an open procedure, following the regulations of the Procurement Act 2023, with a framework agreement planned for a duration of up to 4 years. The tender allows for multiple suppliers across different lots, with an estimated national spend ranging from £11.25 million annually to £45 million over the full framework period. Important dates include the submission deadline for tenders on 10th June 2026, with the framework estimated to commence on 3rd October 2026 and run until the 2nd of October 2028, with potential extensions to 2030. This tender offers a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in the supply of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products, and bread goods to expand or consolidate their market presence across the UK. With the framework split into multiple lots and the encouragement of SME participation, it provides flexibility and multiple entry points for businesses of various capacities. Suppliers can apply for multiple lots, allowing for strategic geographic targeting and resource allocation. The procurement will benefit those with robust distribution networks and the capability to supply high-quality and competitively priced goods. Overall, this framework presents a promising growth avenue for food and distribution companies looking to service a substantial educational and public sector market. ## Notice 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (London). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (North West). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (North East). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (Yorkshire & Humber). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (West Midlands). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (East Midlands). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (South East). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (South West). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (East). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (North Wales). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (South Wales). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (Scotland). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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 The supply and distribution of Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and Associated Products to members and clients of TUCO Ltd within the lotted geographic area (Northern Ireland). Scope covering; Fruit, Vegetables, Prepared Fruit, Prepared Vegetables, Fresh Salad, Dairy products, Bread Products 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. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041614-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 6 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | 10 Jun 2026 | | Future notice date | 14 May 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 2 Oct 2026 - 2 Oct 2028 | | Recurrence | 2030-04-11 | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £45,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED | | Locality | MANCHESTER | | Post town | Manchester | | Postcode | M2 5GP | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester | | ITL 3 | TLD33 Manchester | | Local authority | Manchester | | Electoral ward | Deansgate | | Westminster constituency | Manchester Central | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products ### Codes - 15300000 - Fruit, vegetables and related products - 15510000 - Milk and cream - 15550000 - Assorted dairy products - 15811100 - Bread - 15813000 - Morning goods ## Release History - 6 May 2026 at 15:35 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041614-2026 - 20 Apr 2026 at 12:04 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035608-2026 - 22 May 2025 at 11:37 - PlanningUpdate - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024739-2025 - 22 May 2025 at 11:04 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024671-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041614-2026 6th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035608-2026 20th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024739-2025 22nd May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024671-2025 22nd May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/tuco/aspx/Home Complete set of tender documents are openly available through the tendering portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/tuco/aspx/Home ## Notice URLs - http://www.tuco.ac.uk - https://account.tuco.ac.uk/delrvdkzgqmjfhudksgs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-051d33. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051d33.json.