Final Commodity Specification for Frozen Black Bean Burgers

Background
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a final commodity specification for Frozen Black Bean Burger Patties, which will be available for USDA Foods in Schools for the School Year 2025-26. The AMS aims to ensure that all commodities purchased for the USDA Commodity Procurement Program are of 100% domestic origin, supporting local agriculture and responsible commercial practices.

Work Details
Contractors must provide Frozen Black Bean Burger Patties that meet the following specifications:

1. Type: III – Legume Based
2. Style: A – Patty Shaped
3. Product Weight: Approximately 2.9 - 3.5 oz. individual patties per 30-pound net weight case.
4. Child Nutrition (CN) labeling: Must comply with USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Child Nutrition Programs regulations, providing a meat/meat alternate contribution of 2.00 oz.
5. Ingredients must include black beans, cooked brown rice, corn, and one or more types of soy protein or other vegetable proteins and oils. Ingredients NOT permitted include dairy and egg ingredients.
6. Each patty must be Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) and packed so they are free-flowing.
7. Sodium content must not exceed 450 mg per 100 grams of product.
8. Packaging requirements include a commercially labeled primary container with a net weight of no less than 30 pounds, suitable code marking for recall identification, and compliance with FDA labeling requirements.
9. The product must withstand thawing, preparation, cooking, holding, and serving in a school lunch environment with minimal loss of integrity.
10. Quality assurance includes product testing and a signed Certificate of Conformance (COC) confirming compliance with specifications.

Period of Performance
The contract is set to commence with deliveries aligned for the School Year 2025-26.

Place of Performance
The products will be delivered to various locations participating in the USDA Foods in Schools program.