UNSPSC 50522523: Non GMO stella cherries

The variety of non GMO cherries known as non GMO stella 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 50522523 Non-GMO Stella Cherries is a Commodity code that does not align with the state and local procurement activity indexed under this classification. Recent opportunities posted under this code consistently solicit fresh produce for school nutrition programs—petite bananas, fresh fruits and vegetables, apples, berries, root vegetables, and prepared produce items—rather than the specialty cherry product nominally named. The mismatch between code definition and actual procurement suggests either systematic miscoding or that the UNSPSC taxonomy has not been updated to reflect the breadth of fresh-produce sourcing now conducted under this line item.

School districts and county boards of education drive the bulk of recent activity, with representatives including Madison Metropolitan School District, Hancock County Board of Education, Bartow County School System, Early County Board of Education, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Bulloch County School District, Liberty County Board of Education, Muscogee County School District, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Glynn County Board of Education, McAllen Independent School District, Austin Independent School District, and Douglas County School System. Geographic concentration is heaviest in Georgia, with secondary activity in Wisconsin, Texas, and Florida. Representative recent opportunities include Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4162 for petite bananas (due July 29, 2026, estimated annual value $78,000), Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for over 200 fresh-produce line items including apples, berries, and specialty items (due June 26, 2026), Bulloch County School District's IFP for locally-grown produce within 200 miles of county (due May 4, 2026), Hillsborough County Public Schools' RFP for USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program specialty produce delivery to 18 elementary schools (estimated $600,000 annual budget, due March 11, 2026), Douglas County School System's RFP through the GEC Buying Cooperative serving 30 districts across two Georgia areas (estimated $5.5 million combined annual spending, due March 4, 2026), and Austin Independent School District's RFP for fresh produce and beverages district-wide (due March 11, 2026). School districts typically structure these procurements as annual IFBs or RFPs with multiple delivery points, HACCP plan and traceability mandates, Buy American compliance, and five-year renewable terms.