UNSPSC 50525100: Non GMO papayas

The type of non GMO fruit known as non GMO papayas. 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 50525100 Non-GMO papayas is a Class code that state and local school districts are using to procure fresh produce for student nutrition programs, though the recent opportunities show substantial divergence from the code's nominal scope. Recent solicitations under this code span multiple fresh produce categories—bananas, apples, berries, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, leafy greens, and specialty items—well beyond papayas alone. School districts are the dominant issuing bodies, with activity concentrated in Georgia (Hancock County, Bartow County, Bulloch County, Liberty County, Muscogee County, Savannah-Chatham County, Glynn County, and Douglas County school systems), supplemented by districts in Florida (Hillsborough County Public Schools), Wisconsin (Madison Metropolitan School District), and Texas (McAllen Independent School District, Austin Independent School District). These districts solicit through RFP, RFQ, IFB, and ITB notices, typically with response dates in the March–July 2026 window. Representative opportunities include Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for fresh produce spanning over 200 line items with a contract period from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; Bulloch County School District's RFP for locally-grown produce (within 200 miles) with proposals due May 4, 2026 and contract effective July 1, 2026; and Douglas County School System's RFP through the GEC Buying Cooperative covering 30 school districts across two geographic areas in Georgia with estimated annual spending of $4.4 million for Area One and $1.1 million for Area Two.

School districts emphasize Buy American provisions, HACCP compliance, food safety documentation, traceability systems, and compliance with USDA nutrition standards for whole grains and sodium reduction. Many solicitations include provisions for farm-to-school and local-sourcing preferences when cost and quality align, particularly in Georgia and Texas. Contract values range widely—Madison Metropolitan School District's petite banana contract estimates $78,000 annually; Hillsborough County Public Schools' USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program contract carries an estimated budget of $600,000 entirely from federal grant funds; and Douglas County's cooperative procurement spans $4.4 million to $5.5 million across participating districts. Geographic and local-sourcing preferences appear frequently: McAllen ISD prioritizes produce grown within 50 miles; Bartow County School System requires sourcing within 400 miles; and Bulloch County defines "locally grown" as within 200 miles. Standard compliance requirements include general liability insurance ($500,000 to $2,000,000 minimum), workers' compensation, debarment certification, E-Verify authorization, and anti-collusion affidavits. Award is typically made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder on a line-item basis, with multiple vendors permitted to supply different categories. The code shows active, steady procurement activity with strong institutional demand but no papayas specifically named in the recent opportunities reviewed.