Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS: Bread – Each loaf should have a firm and tender brown colored crust (except Italian) have a fine and even grain and impart a pleasing flavor and aroma. Rolls and English Muffins – After cooling, each baked unit should weigh less than one-half pound. The individual rolls, except English Muffins, should have a firm and tender crust (except that hard rolls will have a typical firm crisp crust) and have a fine and even grain, impart a pleasing flavor and aroma, and be of the weight, size, shape, and variety specified. For English Muffins, the individual roll shall be round and approximately 1” in height, and approximately 4” in diameter, griddled on top and bottom, and the weight, size, shape, and variety specified. The rolls should have a firm but tender crust, a porous, slightly chewy texture and a bland to slightly sour flavor. The delivered product shall not be crushed or damaged. Fresh bread, including individual slices, shall not be more than 48 hours old upon arrival at receiving point, except whole wheat and rye, which may not be more than 72 hours old. The volume of the bread should contribute to a pleasing appearance. 2. LABELING: Wrappers shall identify the type of product, ingredients, net weight, and name of bakery. The bakery must be registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and must meet the Department’s standards for bakeries and bakery products. Date and day of production must be clearly marked on label or by color-coded tie code (code to be supplied by vendor) on each package. 3. PACKAGING: The products shall be packaged in accordance with commercial practice. The package shall afford adequate protection against deterioration and physical damage during shipment. 4. PRODUCT CONDITION AT DELIVERY: Bread, rolls and related products must be properly packaged and delivered in clean, sound, standard cartons or trays. Vendor shall indicate if cartons and trays are returnable and if so, they are to be identified for return to vendor. The returnable containers shall be stored by the using agency in a location easily accessible to the vendor and shall be removed by the vendor on or before the next delivery. Product shall maintain freshness for a minimum of 5 days from date of delivery.
