UNSPSC 50521565: Non GMO pippin apples

The variety of non GMO apples known as non GMO pippin 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 50521565 Non GMO pippin apples is a Commodity code that encompasses fresh apple procurement for state and local food service operations, particularly school nutrition programs and institutional food services. State and local governments buy this code primarily as part of broader food-service contracts where fresh produce—including specific apple varieties—appears as a line item or subset of a larger sourcing requirement. The issuing bodies are predominantly school districts and county park authorities, with school nutrition departments emerging as the primary repeat buyers under this code. Contracts specify apple varieties (Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Jazz, and Ambrosia in addition to the Non GMO pippin designation), case packs, ripeness standards, minimum fill rates, delivery windows, and temperature compliance. School districts typically require HACCP plans, E-Verify authorization, and documentation of product traceability by farm of origin. Evaluation criteria commonly weight cost heavily (40–50%), followed by vendor qualifications, service and support capability, diverse-owned business status, and past performance with the purchasing district. Local-vendor and regional-sourcing preferences appear frequently, particularly in school districts that mandate produce sourcing within 400 miles or apply geographic preference scoring.

Recent activity is concentrated in Georgia and Wisconsin school districts. Representative solicitations include Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4162 for petite bananas (bids due July 29, 2026, estimated annual contract value $78,000, contract term September 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027), Hancock County Board of Education IFB #SN002-2027 for fresh produce spanning multiple apple varieties and over 200 line items (bids due June 26, 2026, contract period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027), and Bartow County School System's RFP 10-2026-019 for local fresh fruits and vegetables with regional sourcing requirements within 400 miles (proposals due June 22, 2026, contract period July 20, 2026 through June 30, 2027 with four one-year renewal options). Early County Board of Education issued bids for 300+ food items including fresh produce (bids due June 8, 2026, contract period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027). A Collier County ITN for food services at North Collier Regional Park (proposals due March 6, 2025) and Marion Health Care Coalition's produce RFP (proposals due August 21, 2026) indicate activity outside the school district vertical, though geographic concentration remains limited to the Southeast and Midwest in the recent posting window.