UNSPSC 50521902: Non GMO red bearberries

The variety of non GMO bearberries known as non GMO red bearberries. 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 50521902 Non GMO red bearberries, a Commodity code, covers fresh specialty berries and other produce that state and local governments buy for food service operations, nutrition programs, and institutional dining. However, the recent opportunities tagged under this code reveal a broad mismatch: the code nominally specifies non-GMO red bearberries, yet the sourced solicitations span fresh bananas, general produce assortments, apples, leafy greens, root vegetables, citrus, and processed food-service items with no specific reference to bearberries or berry procurement. The issuing bodies are overwhelmingly school districts and county education boards—Marion Health Care Coalition (produce proposals), Madison Metropolitan School District (bananas and fresh fruit/vegetable snacks), Hancock County Board of Education (fresh produce), Bartow County School System (local fresh fruits and vegetables), Early County Board of Education (comprehensive food bid)—alongside a county parks department (Collier County, food concessions) and a state agency (State of Georgia, general food supplies). School nutrition programs and USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program compliance drive much of the activity.

Geographic activity concentrates in the Southeast and Midwest: Georgia (Hancock County, Bartow County, State of Georgia, Early County), Wisconsin (Madison Metropolitan School District), and Florida (Collier County). Representative recent opportunities include the Hancock County Board of Education IFB for fresh produce spanning over 200 line items due June 26, 2026, the Madison Metropolitan School District RFB for petite bananas (70–90 cases weekly, contract value approximately $78,000, due July 29, 2026), and the Bartow County School System RFP for local fresh fruits and vegetables sourced within 400 miles with proposal deadline June 22, 2026. The code shows active procurement activity under school nutrition and institutional food service, but the Commodity code itself—non-GMO red bearberries—does not align with the actual scope of work being bought, suggesting the code may be misapplied to general produce categories by issuing offices or that bearberry-specific procurement is not present in current state and local opportunities.