UNSPSC 50521556: Non GMO mutsu apples

The variety of non GMO apples known as non GMO mutsu 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 50521556 Non GMO Mutsu Apples, a Commodity code, describes fresh specialty apple varieties that state and local governments procure primarily through school nutrition programs and regional park concession food services. The code sits within the fresh fruit supply chain and captures state and local demand for specific apple cultivars meeting food-service specifications around ripeness, sizing, temperature control, and food-safety compliance. Recent solicitations show school districts and county park systems issuing competitive bids and RFPs for fresh-produce bundles that include apples alongside other tree fruits, berries, root vegetables, and specialty items; individual solicitations sometimes specify multiple apple varieties (Ambrosia, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Jazz) rather than Mutsu apples alone, reflecting both the breadth of commodity codes in this family and the granular nature of commodity-level procurement. Issuing bodies are predominantly school nutrition programs (Madison Metropolitan School District, Hancock County Board of Education, Early County Board of Education, Bartow County School System) supplemented by county recreation departments (Collier County Parks and Recreation) and state-level food-service procurement (Georgia Department of Education). A local-sourcing preference appears consistently, with school districts in Georgia and Wisconsin specifying 400-mile radii or in-state origin requirements, and scoring criteria frequently rewarding seasonal variety and geographic proximity.

Georgia and Wisconsin dominate recent activity under this code segment. Madison Metropolitan School District issued separate RFBs in July 2026 for petite bananas and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks with response dates of July 29, 2026; Hancock County Board of Education in Georgia posted an IFB for over 200 line items of fresh produce spanning multiple apple varieties with bids due June 26, 2026; Bartow County School System in Georgia sought local fresh fruits and vegetables through RFP 10-2026-019 with a June 22, 2026 proposal deadline; and Early County Board of Education in Georgia requested line-by-line food bids due June 8, 2026 covering approximately 300 food items including fresh fruit. These school-district solicitations consistently emphasize Buy American content, HACCP food-safety plans, E-Verify compliance, product traceability by farm origin, and firm pricing inclusive of delivery to multiple school sites. Contract terms typically run one school year (July through June) with renewal options, and evaluation criteria weight cost heavily (40 percent) alongside product quality, seasonal availability, vendor qualifications, and references. Collier County's ITN for North Collier Regional Park food services (Solicitation 258360, due March 6, 2025) represents the non-school issuing body, though that opportunity spans concession food services more broadly than apples alone. The State of Georgia's May 2026 solicitation for food, supplies, and other kitchen products (PE55645NONST2026000000009) also shows state-level consolidation, though the full scope was not disclosed in the available documentation.