UNSPSC 50522516: Non GMO duke cherries

The variety of non GMO cherries known as non GMO duke cherries. 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 50522516 Non GMO duke cherries (Commodity) does not match the work state and local governments are actually buying under this code designation. Recent opportunities tagged with this code solicit fresh produce broadly—petite bananas, mixed fresh fruits and vegetables, comprehensive produce line items spanning apples, berries, citrus, root vegetables, and leafy greens—rather than duke cherries specifically. The issuing bodies are predominantly school districts (Madison Metropolitan School District, Hancock County Board of Education, Bulloch County School District, Glynn County Board of Education, Liberty County Board of Education, Muscogee County School District, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, and others) supported by a state procurement (Georgia state food supplies) and a regional cooperative purchasing vehicle (GEC Buying Cooperative serving 30 Georgia school districts). School nutrition programs represent the dominant buying pattern, with opportunities emerging from elementary, middle, and high schools across food service supply contracts for National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program support, alongside federally funded initiatives such as the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

Recent activity clusters heavily in Georgia (Hancock County, Bulloch County, Glynn County, Liberty County, Muscogee County, Savannah-Chatham County, Douglas County), with secondary activity in Wisconsin (Madison Metropolitan School District), Florida (Hillsborough County Public Schools), Texas (McAllen Independent School District, Austin Independent School District), and a statewide Georgia solicitation. Representative recent opportunities include Madison Metropolitan School District RFB 4162 for petite bananas due July 29, 2026, with weekly usage of 70–90 cases and an estimated annual contract value of $78,000 for September 2026 through June 2027 delivery; Bulloch County School District IFP for 24 locally grown produce items due May 4, 2026, supporting a Farm to School program serving 11,200 students; and Douglas County School System RFP SN 26-004 through the GEC Buying Cooperative for fresh produce and eggs serving 30 school districts with estimated annual spending of approximately $4.4 million for Area One and $1.1 million for Area Two. Evaluation criteria across these opportunities emphasize cost (typically 30–50 points), product quality and availability, delivery reliability and fill rates, compliance with Buy American provisions, and vendor experience with institutional food service.