UNSPSC 50521500: Non GMO apples

The type of non GMO fruit known as non GMO apples. This means that they are produced without the use of methods that genetically modify organisms by means that are not possible under natural conditions. Such methods include cell fusion, microencapsulation and macro-encapsulation, and recombinant DNA technology (including gene deletion, gene doubling, introducing a foreign gene, and changing the positions of genes when achieved by recombinant DNA technology).

Traditional methods of breeding, conjugation, fermentation, hybridization, in vitro fertilization, or tissue culture are considered to be non-GMO.

UNSPSC 50521500 Non GMO apples is a Class code that covers fresh apple procurement for school nutrition programs, healthcare facilities, parks and recreation food services, and county health coalitions. State and local governments buy apples under this code through both standalone produce contracts and multi-item fresh-fruit solicitations, with specification details typically including variety (Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Jazz, Ambrosia), ripeness stage, sizing parameters, delivery temperature requirements, and food-safety compliance such as HACCP plans. Issuing bodies span school districts, county boards of education, county parks and recreation departments, and healthcare coalitions, with school nutrition programs representing the dominant buyer segment. Set-asides and preferences appear frequently: local-sourcing requirements (typically within 400 miles), Buy American provisions for processed-commodity content, diverse-owned business certifications, and local-vendor geographic preferences worth evaluation points. Delivery logistics are highly specified, with early morning windows (often 5:00–7:00 a.m.), fill-rate guarantees (98 percent minimum), and substitution protocols.

Recent activity clusters in Georgia and Wisconsin school districts, with additional solicitations from Florida (Collier County parks) and multi-county healthcare procurement. Representative opportunities include Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB for petite bananas (70–90 cases weekly, $78,000 annual value, bids due July 29, 2026), Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for fresh produce encompassing multiple apple varieties alongside other fruits and vegetables (over 200 line items, bids due June 26, 2026), Bartow County School System's RFP for local fresh fruits and vegetables sourced within 400 miles (proposals due June 22, 2026), and Early County Board of Education's line-by-line food bid covering roughly 300 items including fresh produce (bids due June 8, 2026). Marion Health Care Coalition also solicited produce proposals due August 21, 2026. Collier County Parks and Recreation's ITN for food services at North Collier Regional Park (proposals due March 6, 2025, though this date predates the posting) shows non-school food-service demand. Evaluation typically weights cost at 40 percent, with secondary emphasis on product quality, traceability by farm of origin, compliance documentation, and local or diverse-vendor status. Most school contracts run July 1 through June 30 or September 1 through June 30 aligned with academic calendars.