The Irish Prison Service today put out to tender a €12 million contract to feed prisoners for the next two years.
The successful supplier will source and deliver meat, fish, dairy products, bread, dry goods, cooking oils, fruit and vegetables and frozen foods.
The Prison Service said the October 2007-October 2009 contract may be extended for a further 12 months when it expires.
The foodstuffs must be delivered directly to the jails and institutions.
The prisons are in Portlaoise, Castlerea, Cork, Limerick, Curragh, Midlands, Fort Mitchel, Loughan House and Shelton Abbey.
Five institutions are located in Dublin - Mountjoy, Cloverhill, Wheatfield, Arbour Hill and St Patrick's Institution.
The contract is restricted to sheltered employment workshops, the Prison Service said.