UNSPSC 50524600: Non GMO melons

The type of non GMO fruit known as non GMO melons. 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 50524600 Non GMO melons is a Class code that encompasses fresh melon procurement for school nutrition programs, though recent solicitations under this code show significant mislabeling—the opportunities tagged to it predominantly solicit petite bananas, mixed fresh produce, and comprehensive fruit-and-vegetable assortments rather than melons specifically. State and local procurement offices are buying fresh produce through school district nutrition programs, with emphasis on USDA compliance, Buy American provisions, HACCP food safety documentation, and delivery to multiple school sites within defined time windows. Issuing bodies include school districts (Madison Metropolitan School District in Wisconsin, Hancock County Board of Education in Georgia, Liberty County Board of Education in Georgia, Glynn County Board of Education in Georgia, and others) and regional cooperative purchasing vehicles (GEC Buying Cooperative serving 30 school districts across Georgia). School districts typically solicit produce on annual contracts with renewal options, competitive bidding through RFP or IFB, and awards made to lowest responsive and responsible bidders on a line-item basis where multiple vendors may supply different product categories.

Recent activity concentrates in Georgia and Wisconsin. Representative solicitations include Madison Metropolitan School District RFB 4162 for petite bananas (posted July 8, 2026, due July 29, 2026) with annual contract value estimated at $78,000 and Madison Metropolitan RFB 4163 for fresh fruit-and-vegetable snacks (posted July 8, 2026, due July 29, 2026) requiring Wisconsin-sourced produce within 400 miles; Hancock County Board of Education IFB #SN002-2027 for fresh produce spanning over 200 line items including melons, apples, berries, and vegetables (posted June 10, 2026, due June 26, 2026, with contract period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027); and Douglas County School System RFP SN 26-004 through the GEC Buying Cooperative for fresh produce and eggs serving 30 school districts across two geographic areas in Georgia (posted February 4, 2026, due March 4, 2026) with estimated annual spending of approximately $4.4 million for Area One and $1.1 million for Area Two. Standard contract terms require firm pricing for 12 months, 98-100 percent fill rates on orders, weekly or twice-weekly delivery between early morning and early afternoon, HACCP certification with 24/7 recall accessibility, general liability insurance of $500,000 to $2 million, and compliance with debarment, E-Verify, and Buy American requirements.