UNSPSC 50525020: Non GMO kona oranges

The variety of non GMO oranges known as non GMO kona 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 50525020 Non GMO kona oranges is a Commodity code. State and local school districts are the dominant buyers under this code, procuring fresh produce — citrus, bananas, apples, berries, root vegetables, leafy greens, and specialty items — through RFBs, RFPs, and IFBs to support National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program operations. Recent solicitations show school nutrition programs emphasizing domestic sourcing, Buy American compliance, HACCP certification, food-safety traceability, product quality standards (ripeness specifications, shelf life minimums, temperature control), weekly or twice-weekly delivery logistics to multiple school sites, and cost-plus or firm fixed-price contracting structures. Evaluation commonly weights price (30–50 points), vendor qualifications and experience (15–20 points), product quality and availability (15–30 points), and service/support capability (10–20 points). Geographic preferences, diversity-owned business status, and local-farm sourcing (within 50–400 miles) appear in many recent RFPs as evaluation factors or contract requirements.

Recent activity concentrates heavily in Georgia school systems — Madison Metropolitan School District (RFBs for petite bananas and fresh fruit and vegetable snacks, due July 29, 2026), Hancock County Board of Education (IFB for fresh produce with 200+ line items, due June 26, 2026), Bulloch County School District (IFP for locally-grown produce, due May 4, 2026), Liberty County Board of Education (dual IFBs for produce and food products, due April 29, 2026), Muscogee County School District (ITB for produce, due April 27, 2026), Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (bid for 72 fresh produce items, due April 23, 2026), and Glynn County Board of Education (IFB for fresh produce across 16 schools, due April 14, 2026). Outside Georgia, activity includes Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa, Florida (RFP for USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program delivery, proposal due March 11, 2026), McAllen Independent School District in Texas (RFP for fresh produce to 31 campuses, due March 6, 2026), and Austin Independent School District (RFP for fresh produce and beverages, due March 11, 2026). The Douglas County School System cooperative (GEC Buying Cooperative) represents a multi-district regional procurement serving 30 school districts across Georgia with approximately $5.5 million estimated annual spending. This code shows substantial, ongoing procurement activity driven by school nutrition demand, with contract values typically ranging from $78,000 annually (Madison petite bananas) to $600,000 (Hillsborough FFVP) and larger cooperative awards, firm pricing requirements, and tight delivery logistics dominating vendor expectations.