UNSPSC 50521583: Non GMO starking apples

The variety of non GMO apples known as non GMO starking 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 50521583 Non GMO starking apples, a Commodity code, does not reflect the actual state and local procurement activity being conducted under this classification. Recent opportunities solicited under the code span fresh produce procurement broadly — including fresh fruits and vegetables, petite bananas, and mixed seasonal produce — rather than non-GMO apples specifically. State and local governments are purchasing fresh produce for school nutrition programs, county parks concession operations, healthcare facilities, and regional food services, with vendors expected to meet food-safety compliance, delivery-schedule precision, and traceability documentation. Issuing bodies include school districts (Madison Metropolitan School District, Hancock County Board of Education, Early County Board of Education, Bartow County School System), county governments (Collier County Board of County Commissioners), healthcare coalitions (Marion Health Care Coalition), and state procurement offices (State of Georgia). School districts represent the dominant buyer segment, sourcing produce for National School Lunch and Breakfast programs as well as USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program initiatives.

Geographic activity concentrates in Georgia and Wisconsin. Georgia solicitations include Hancock County Board of Education's fresh produce bid for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, specifying over 200 line items across multiple apple varieties, berries, and root vegetables with sealed bids due June 26, 2026; Bartow County School System's local fresh fruits and vegetables RFP with June 22, 2026 proposal deadline requiring 400-mile sourcing from local farms; Early County Board of Education's food and non-food products bid due June 8, 2026; and the State of Georgia's May 15, 2026 food, supplies, and other kitchen products solicitation (RFB due June 22, 2026). Wisconsin activity includes Madison Metropolitan School District's petite bananas RFB 4162 (bids due July 29, 2026, estimated annual value $78,000) and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks RFB 4163 (bids due July 29, 2026) requiring Wisconsin sourcing within 400 miles. Florida sourcing appears in Collier County's North Collier Regional Park food services ITN (March 6, 2025 proposal deadline) and Marion Health Care Coalition's produce proposals (August 21, 2026 deadline). The mismatch between the code's non-GMO apple specification and the broader mixed-produce solicitations posted recently suggests the code assignment may not reflect current purchasing intent across these jurisdictions.