UNSPSC 50521579: Non GMO russet apples

The variety of non GMO apples known as non GMO russet 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 50521579 Non GMO russet apples is a Commodity code that names a single fresh produce item, but recent state and local solicitations show school nutrition departments buying petite bananas, mixed fresh produce, whole apples in multiple varieties (Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, Jazz, gold and red), berries, and other fresh fruits and vegetables under codes tagged to this commodity. The code's nominal scope—non-GMO russet apples specifically—does not align closely with the pattern of recent activity. School districts across Georgia and Texas, along with independent school districts in Florida and Texas, are the primary issuing bodies, soliciting produce through RFBs, RFPs, IFBs, and ITBs to support National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program operations. Solicitation structures vary widely: some districts issue line-item competitive bids on annual contracts with firm pricing; others use cost-plus models or fixed-fee-per-case arrangements. Common evaluation criteria weight price (30–50 points), vendor qualifications and experience (15–20 points), product quality and availability (15–30 points), and compliance and service capability (10–20 points). Geographic preference for locally sourced or regionally grown produce appears in multiple recent solicitations—Bartow County Schools and Bulloch County Schools prefer produce grown within 400 and 200 miles respectively—and a few districts offer scored preference points for diverse-owned business status or in-state business operations.

Recent representative opportunities include Madison Metropolitan School District RFB 4162 for petite bananas (due July 29, 2026; estimated annual value $78,000; weekly delivery to single site), Hancock County Board of Education IFB for fresh produce across 200+ line items including multiple apple varieties (due June 26, 2026; delivery to three school sites), Bulloch County School District IFP for locally-grown produce including apples and citrus (due May 4, 2026; Farm to School program), Glynn County Board of Education IFB 27-02 for fresh produce across 60 line items with weekly Tuesday delivery to 16 schools (due April 14, 2026), and Douglas County School System RFP SN 26-004 through the GEC Buying Cooperative supplying 30 districts across Georgia with estimated annual spending of approximately $4.4 million for Area One and $1.1 million for Area Two (due March 4, 2026). Activity concentrates in Georgia, Texas, and Florida school districts. Buy American provisions requiring domestic or 51%-domestic-content processed products appear consistently; HACCP plans, traceability documentation, and 24/7 recall accessibility are standard requirements. Most contracts run July 1 through June 30 with renewal options for one to four additional years.