UNSPSC 50521522: Non GMO elstar apples

The variety of non GMO apples known as non GMO elstar 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 50521522 Non GMO Elstar apples is a Commodity code. State and local school nutrition programs are the primary buyers under this code, though recent solicitations show that school districts purchase apples as part of broader fresh produce procurement rather than as standalone line items. Madison Metropolitan School District, Hancock County Board of Education, Muscogee County School District, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Glynn County Board of Education, and Liberty County Board of Education have all posted produce solicitations in the past four months that include apples among dozens of fruit and vegetable items needed to support National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Apples appear in nearly every school nutrition RFQ, RFP, and IFB as a commodity staple—varieties such as Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Ambrosia, Honey Crisp, and Jazz are explicitly specified in bid documents. School districts typically procure apples in bulk case quantities with strict specifications for size, color stage, and condition, delivered fresh to multiple school sites weekly. The code shows activity primarily across Georgia school districts, though Texas districts including Austin Independent School District and McAllen Independent School District also solicit fresh produce including apples for the same purposes.

Georgia school districts dominate recent procurement activity under this code. Hancock County Board of Education, Douglas County School System (administering a cooperative purchasing vehicle serving 30 districts across Georgia), Muscogee County School District, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Glynn County Board of Education, and Liberty County Board of Education have all posted sealed bid or RFP solicitations for fresh produce including apples between February and July 2026. Outside Georgia, Austin Independent School District in Travis County, Texas posted RFP 26RFP034 for fresh produce and beverages due March 11, 2026, and McAllen Independent School District in Texas posted RFP 2026-1029 due March 6, 2026 (with addendum extension). The Douglas County School System RFP through the GEC Buying Cooperative serves as a multi-district vehicle with estimated annual spending of approximately $4.4 million for Area One and $1.1 million for Area Two, representing one of the larger institutional apple procurement opportunities. Most school district solicitations require weekly or twice-weekly delivery, minimum 98 percent fill rates, HACCP plans, Buy American compliance, and competitive pricing benchmarked to USDA market reports; award decisions typically favor lowest responsive and responsible bidders on a line-item basis, allowing multiple vendors to supply different apple varieties or pack sizes.