UNSPSC 50521501: Non GMO akane apples

The variety of non GMO apples known as non GMO akane 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 50521501 Non GMO akane apples is a Commodity code that represents state and local school nutrition procurement for fresh produce and specialty fruits, though recent solicitations under this code span well beyond apples alone—bananas, berries, citrus, melons, leafy greens, root vegetables, and prepared produce items dominate recent activity. School districts are the primary issuing bodies, with RFBs, RFPs, and IFBs posted by independent districts, county boards of education, and multi-district cooperative purchasing vehicles across Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Wisconsin. The scope reflects institutional food service buying for National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program fulfillment, with secondary activity tied to federally funded USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program contracts that distribute free produce to elementary students. Vendors face strict requirements: HACCP plans with traceability and 24/7 recall accessibility, Buy American compliance (minimum 51 percent domestic agricultural content for processed products), weekly or twice-weekly delivery to multiple school sites on early-morning schedules, liability insurance of $500,000 to $2 million depending on jurisdiction, and compliance with whole-grain and reduced-sodium food-safety standards. Geographic-preference and local-sourcing provisions appear frequently—Wisconsin districts require produce within 400 miles; Georgia and Texas districts incentivize state-grown or regionally sourced items; and some RFPs allocate scoring points to local supply.

Recent activity concentrates in Georgia (Hancock County Schools, Bulloch County Schools, Liberty County Schools, Muscogee County Schools, Savannah-Chatham County Schools, Glynn County Schools, Douglas County Schools cooperative), with significant secondary activity in Texas (McAllen ISD, Austin ISD) and scattered opportunities in Wisconsin (Madison Metropolitan School District) and Florida (Hillsborough County Public Schools). Madison Metropolitan School District issued RFBs for petite bananas (70–90 cases weekly, $78,000 annual value, due July 29, 2026) and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks sourced within 400 miles of Wisconsin (5,900 weekly servings, USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, due July 29, 2026); Hancock County Board of Education posted an IFB for over 200 produce line items covering apples, berries, vegetables, and specialty items (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 contract, due June 26, 2026); Bulloch County Schools issued an RFP for 24 locally grown items within 200 miles (farm-to-school program for 11,200 students, due May 4, 2026); and Glynn County Schools solicited bids for 60 produce line items with estimated annual quantities reaching 21,000+ cases for high-volume items like apples and bananas (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, due April 14, 2026). No incumbent vendors are named, and set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises are not prominent in recent posts, though some districts encourage MBE or WBE participation under federal funding rules. This code shows steady, recurring demand—most contracts run July 1 through June 30 on annual cycles with renewal options up to five years—making it a stable pursuit for food-service distributors with logistics capacity, cold-chain infrastructure, and school-system experience.