UNSPSC 50525409: Non GMO clapp favorite pears

The variety of non GMO pears known as non GMO clapp favorite pears. 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 50525409 Non GMO Clapp Favorite Pears, a Commodity code, does not align with the actual work state and local governments are soliciting under this designation. The recent opportunities tagged with this code show no procurement activity for Clapp Favorite pears or any specialty pear varieties; instead, the opportunities document school district food service needs for broad fresh produce categories—bananas, apples, berries, broccoli, carrots, eggs, and dozens of other commodity fruits and vegetables—as well as fresh fruit and vegetable snack programs serving elementary students. The code's narrow commodity-level specification (a single heritage pear variety) appears disconnected from how school nutrition programs actually source produce, which occurs through multi-item RFPs, IFBs, and RFQs that bundle produce into seasonal or annual contracts.

School districts across Georgia, Texas, Florida, and Wisconsin—including Madison Metropolitan, Hancock County, Bulloch County, Liberty County, Muscogee County, Savannah-Chatham, Glynn County, McAllen Independent, Austin Independent, and Douglas County—are the primary issuing bodies. These districts issue RFPs, RFQs, IFBs, and ITBs for fresh produce delivery on annual or multi-year contracts, often through cooperative purchasing vehicles such as the GEC Buying Cooperative. Recent examples include the Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4162 for petite bananas (due July 29, 2026, estimated annual value $78,000) and RFB 4163 for fresh fruit and vegetable snacks (due July 29, 2026, with USDA grant funding contingency); Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for over 200 fresh produce line items (bid opening June 29, 2026, contract July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027); Bulloch County School District's RFP for 24 locally-grown produce items including watermelons, apples, and strawberries (proposals due May 4, 2026, award May 8, 2026); and the Douglas County School System's RFP through GEC for fresh produce and eggs serving 30 districts across two Georgia areas (estimated annual spending $4.4 million and $1.1 million respectively, proposals due March 4, 2026). The code shows substantial activity in the school nutrition market but minimal relevance to the specific commodity it nominally describes.