UNSPSC 50522916: Non GMO zahidi dates

The variety of non GMO dates known as non GMO zahidi dates. 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 50522916 Non GMO zahidi dates is a Commodity code that nominally identifies a single dried fruit product, but recent state and local procurement activity under this code shows little alignment with zahidi dates specifically. Instead, the opportunities posted under this code reflect broader fresh produce and food-service solicitations spanning multiple fruit and vegetable categories, with school districts and county governments representing the primary issuing bodies. State and local governments buying under this code are seeking fresh produce vendors capable of meeting food-safety compliance, delivery-schedule precision, and volume commitments across multiple school locations and park concession facilities. School nutrition programs dominate the activity, sourcing fresh fruits, vegetables, and specialty items for National School Lunch Program and Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program operations, while county parks and healthcare coalitions also solicit produce and food-service offerings. Evaluation criteria across these solicitations consistently weight cost (typically 30–40%), vendor qualifications and compliance with food-safety standards (including HACCP plans), local or domestic sourcing preferences, and minority or women-owned business enterprise status at 5–15 points.

Recent activity spans Georgia (Hancock County Board of Education, Bartow County School System, Early County Board of Education, and State of Georgia), Wisconsin (Madison Metropolitan School District), Florida (Collier County Board of County Commissioners), and Ohio (Marion Health Care Coalition). Representative recent opportunities include Hancock County Board of Education's fresh produce IFB for the 2026–27 school year (due June 26, 2026) covering over 200 line items of apples, berries, vegetables, and specialty fruits with delivery to three school locations; Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB for petite bananas (70–90 cases weekly, annual value $78,000, due July 29, 2026) and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks requiring 400-mile sourcing from Wisconsin (due July 29, 2026); Bartow County School System's RFP for local fresh fruits and vegetables sourced within 400 miles (due June 22, 2026) with four potential one-year renewals; and Collier County Board of County Commissioners' Invitation to Negotiate for food services at North Collier Regional Park (due March 6, 2025) emphasizing menu variety, food safety compliance, and a 10-point local-vendor preference. Most school district solicitations impose Buy American provisions, require firm pricing for contract periods of 12 months or longer, and mandate delivery within specific time windows (typically 5:00–7:00 a.m. or 5:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday) with fill-rate minimums of 98 percent and temperature-control standards.