UNSPSC 50525009: Non GMO blonde oranges

The variety of non GMO oranges known as non GMO blonde 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 50525009 Non GMO blonde oranges is a Commodity code. State and local school districts are the primary buyers under this code, procuring fresh produce for student nutrition programs through RFBs, RFPs, and IFBs. Recent opportunities show that districts purchase fresh oranges, citrus varieties, and other fresh fruits as components of broader school nutrition contracts that also include bananas, apples, berries, vegetables, and prepared produce items. The code reflects institutional food service procurement for National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program compliance, where produce specifications typically include ripeness stages, size requirements, shelf-life minimums (often five to ten days from delivery), temperature maintenance during transport, HACCP documentation, traceability by farm of origin, and Buy American provisions requiring domestic sourcing or products containing at least 51 percent domestic agricultural content. School districts issuing under or related to this commodity code range from small rural districts (Early County Board of Education, Liberty County Board of Education, Glynn County Board of Education in Georgia) to large urban systems (Austin Independent School District in Texas, Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa, Florida, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System in Georgia, and McAllen Independent School District in Texas). Many districts also solicit through cooperative purchasing vehicles such as the GEC Buying Cooperative, which pools purchasing across multiple districts to achieve scale and competitive pricing.

Geographic activity is concentrated in Georgia and Texas, with recent opportunities from Hancock County Schools, Bulloch County School District, Liberty County Board of Education, Douglas County School System, Glynn County Board of Education, Muscogee County School District, and Savannah-Chatham County Public School System in Georgia, alongside Texas districts including Austin ISD, McAllen ISD, and broader cooperative arrangements. Representative recent solicitations include Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4162 for petite bananas (due July 29, 2026) and RFB 4163 for fresh fruit and vegetable snacks sourced within 400 miles of Madison (due July 29, 2026, estimated annual value $600,000 for Hillsborough County's USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program); the Douglas County School System's RFP SN 26-004 through the GEC Buying Cooperative for fresh produce and eggs across 30 districts with estimated annual spending of approximately $4.4 million in Area One and $1.1 million in Area Two (proposals due March 4, 2026); and the Glynn County Board of Education's IFB 27-02 for fresh produce with weekly Tuesday deliveries to 16 school locations (bids due April 14, 2026). District purchasing typically emphasizes domestic sourcing preferences, whole-grain and low-sodium options, products without artificial additives, and support for local and regional growers where quality and cost align, with evaluation criteria commonly weighting cost at 30 to 50 percent and past performance, quality, and vendor qualifications at the remainder.