UNSPSC 50524104: Non GMO escondido lemons

The variety of non GMO lemons known as non GMO escondido lemons. 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 50524104 Non GMO Escondido lemons is a Commodity code that nominally names a specific produce variety, but recent state and local opportunities show the code is being applied broadly to fresh produce procurement for school nutrition programs, not to lemons specifically. The code covers the range of fresh fruits and vegetables that school districts, county boards of education, and independent school districts are soliciting for child nutrition and school lunch programs. The mix of issuing bodies is dominated by public school systems—elementary, middle, and high schools operating under county boards of education, independent school districts, and consolidated school systems—with occasional activity from state departments and special-purpose nutrition procurement cooperatives. School districts are the primary repeat buyers, with Georgia school systems (Douglas County, Hancock County, Bulloch County, Glynn County, Liberty County, Muscogee County, Savannah-Chatham County) representing the densest recent activity, alongside Wisconsin (Madison Metropolitan School District), Texas (McAllen Independent School District, Austin Independent School District), and Florida (Hillsborough County Public Schools). Solicitations are typically structured as RFB (Request for Bid), IFB (Invitation for Bid), and RFP (Request for Proposal) notices for annual or multi-year contracts to supply fresh produce—apples, bananas, berries, citrus, stone fruits, melons, leafy greens, root vegetables, tomatoes, peppers, and other fresh produce—to school sites for meal service and federally funded programs such as the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) and the National School Lunch Program.

Recent representative opportunities include Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4162 for petite bananas (70–90 cases weekly, $78,000 estimated annual value, bids due July 29, 2026); Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for fresh produce covering over 200 line items of apples, berries, cruciferous vegetables, root vegetables, citrus, melons, and specialty items (contract July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, sealed bids due June 26, 2026); Bulloch County School District's IFP for locally grown produce within 200 miles (24 items including watermelons, apples, strawberries, greens, and seasonal vegetables, proposals due May 4, 2026); and Douglas County School System's RFP through the GEC Buying Cooperative for 72 line items of produce and eggs serving 30 school districts across two Georgia areas ($4.4 million Area One, $1.1 million Area Two, proposals due March 4, 2026). Geographic activity is concentrated in Georgia, with secondary concentrations in Texas, Florida, and Wisconsin. Most solicitations emphasize Buy American compliance, HACCP food safety documentation, liability insurance ($500,000 to $2,000,000 general liability typical), weekly or twice-weekly delivery to school sites, firm fixed pricing, and evaluation on cost (typically 30–50% weight), quality, vendor qualifications, and delivery reliability. Many districts are adding local-sourcing and farm-to-school preferences, with some mandating produce sourced within 200–400 miles and applying price preferences for organic or locally grown items.