UNSPSC 50522524: Non GMO sweetheart cherries

The variety of non GMO cherries known as non GMO sweetheart 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 50522524 Non GMO sweetheart cherries is a Commodity code covering fresh produce sourcing for food service operations at state and local institutions. State and local governments buying under this code procure fresh fruits and vegetables—including specialty items like sweetheart cherries, petite bananas, berries, melons, and leafy greens—for school nutrition programs, regional parks, healthcare facilities, and county food service operations. Solicitations typically require compliance with food-safety regulations, HACCP plans, and delivery to multiple institutional sites during contracted periods. Issuing bodies include school districts (notably Madison Metropolitan School District, Hancock County Board of Education, Early County Board of Education, and Bartow County School System), county governments (Collier County Board of County Commissioners), healthcare coalitions (Marion Health Care Coalition), and state agencies (State of Georgia). A 400-mile local-sourcing preference appears in several school district RFPs, and diverse-owned business certifications earn evaluation points in multiple jurisdictions. Geographic activity centers on Georgia (Hancock County, Bartow County, Early County school systems, and the state procurement office) and Wisconsin (Madison Metropolitan School District), with additional activity in Florida (Collier County).

Representative recent opportunities include Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for fresh produce spanning over 200 line items (apple varieties, berries, cruciferous and root vegetables, melons, citrus, specialty items) for the 2026-27 school year, bids due June 26, 2026; Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4162 for petite bananas at $78,000 annual value with 70–90 weekly cases, bids due July 29, 2026; Bartow County School System's RFP for local fresh fruits and vegetables sourced within 400 miles, proposals due June 22, 2026, with contract award anticipated July 20, 2026; and Collier County Board of County Commissioners' ITN for food services at North Collier Regional Park, including fresh food and beverage provision across concession facilities, proposals due March 6, 2025. School nutrition programs dominate activity and emphasize vendor capability to meet high fill rates, traceability by farm of origin, temperature-controlled delivery to early-morning receiving windows (typically 5:00–7:00 a.m.), and USDA compliance including Buy American domestic-content thresholds where applicable.