UNSPSC 50524405: Non GMO ellensdale oranges

The variety of non GMO mandarin oranges and tangerines known as non GMO ellensdale oranges. 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 50524405 Non GMO ellensdale oranges is a Commodity code that nominally names a single citrus fruit variety, yet the recent state and local opportunities under this code show little to no activity specifically for Ellendale oranges. The posted solicitations instead cover broad fresh produce procurement by school districts and education systems, including fresh fruit and vegetable snacks, mixed produce portfolios spanning apples, bananas, berries, citrus varieties, and vegetables, and comprehensive child nutrition program supplies. The code appears to be a mislabeling artifact—opportunities posted under 50524405 are actually buying institutional food service for school nutrition programs rather than a specific non-GMO orange cultivar.

School districts dominate the issuing-body mix, with recent activity concentrated in Georgia and Texas jurisdictions including Madison Metropolitan School District, Hancock County Board of Education, Bartow County School System, Bulloch County School District, Liberty County Board of Education, Glynn County Board of Education, Muscogee County School District, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, and Douglas County School System (buying on behalf of the GEC Buying Cooperative serving 30 districts), alongside McAllen Independent School District and Austin Independent School District in Texas and Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida. Representative opportunities include Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4162 for petite bananas due July 29, 2026, with an estimated contract value of $78,000 for September 2026 through June 2027; Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for fresh produce spanning over 200 line items including multiple apple varieties, berries, and vegetables, due June 26, 2026, for the 2026–2027 school year; Bulloch County School District's IFP for locally grown produce (within 200 miles) including 24 items, with proposals due May 4, 2026; and Douglas County School System's RFP SN 26-004 for fresh produce and eggs serving 30 districts statewide with estimated annual spending of approximately $4.4 million for Area One and $1.1 million for Area Two, sealed proposals due March 4, 2026. Geographic activity concentrates in Georgia (the dominant state for recent postings) and Texas, with secondary activity in Florida and Wisconsin.