UNSPSC 50521704: Non GMO cavendish bananas

The variety of non GMO bananas known as non GMO cavendish bananas. 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 50521704 Non GMO cavendish bananas is a Commodity code covering fresh banana procurement by state and local entities, with school districts and county recreation departments placing the highest-volume repeat orders. State and local governments use this code to source fresh bananas for school meal programs, food service operations at public facilities, and nutrition initiatives serving student and public populations. The work involves supplying single bananas or bulk cases to specification, often with requirements for specific ripeness stages, temperature control during delivery, quality guarantees including fill-rate minimums and substitute-product policies, and compliance with food safety and HACCP protocols. Issuing bodies include independent school districts (which dominate the recent activity), county boards of education, county parks and recreation divisions, and regional healthcare coalitions. School nutrition departments typically bid annually for the contract year and evaluate vendors on cost (40 percent weight in recent RFBs), service capability, experience, diverse-owned business status, and past performance.

Geographic spread concentrates in Georgia and Wisconsin. Recent opportunities include Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4162 for petite bananas (70–90 cases weekly, $78,000 estimated annual value, due July 29, 2026) and Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for fresh produce spanning over 200 line items with bananas as one component (contract July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, due June 26, 2026). Bartow County School System and Early County Board of Education (both Georgia) have also issued RFPs and RFBs for fresh fruit and vegetable procurement under similar multi-item scopes. Collier County Board of County Commissioners in Florida pursued food concession services via ITN for North Collier Regional Park (due March 6, 2025), which would include produce components. Marion Health Care Coalition issued an RFP for produce vendors (due August 21, 2026). School districts typically require sourcing within 400 miles or in-state, HACCP plans, E-Verify compliance, $500,000 to $1 million liability insurance, and adherence to USDA Buy American rules; they apply local-vendor or diverse-business preferences in scoring.