UNSPSC 50525429: Non GMO merton pride pears

The variety of non GMO pears known as non GMO merton pride 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 50525429 Non GMO Merton Pride Pears is a Commodity code covering fresh produce sourcing for school districts, health care coalitions, parks and recreation departments, and other state and local food service operations. State and local governments buy fresh produce — including apples, bananas, berries, cruciferous and root vegetables, melons, citrus, leafy greens, and specialty fruits — through this code to support school meal programs, water parks and regional park concessions, health care facility operations, and community food service. Solicitations typically require compliance with USDA food-safety standards, HACCP plans, E-Verify verification, liability insurance (commonly $500,000 to $1 million), and delivery to designated school or institutional sites within specified temperature and freshness windows. Many jurisdictions impose geographic preferences or local-sourcing mandates (sourcing within 400 miles is common for school districts), and several apply scoring preferences for diverse-owned, woman-owned, or minority-owned business enterprise status. Issuing bodies include school districts (Madison Metropolitan School District, Hancock County Board of Education, Early County Board of Education, Bartow County School System), county boards of education, county parks and recreation departments (Collier County), health care coalitions (Marion Health Care Coalition), and state agriculture or food service procurement offices.

Recent activity concentrates in Georgia and Wisconsin, with school districts as the primary soliciting body. Representative opportunities include Madison Metropolitan School District's RFB 4162 for petite bananas (70–90 cases weekly, $78,000 annual contract value, bids due July 29, 2026); Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for fresh produce spanning 200+ line items across apple varieties, berries, cruciferous vegetables, and melons (bids due June 26, 2026, single or multiple vendor awards permitted); Bartow County School System's RFP 10-2026-019 for local fresh fruits and vegetables sourced within 400 miles (proposals due June 22, 2026, weighted scoring on cost, seasonal variety, delivery proficiency, product quality, and customer support); Collier County Board of County Commissioners' ITN for food services at North Collier Regional Park including concession operations (proposals due March 6, 2025, local-vendor preference worth 10 evaluation points); and Marion Health Care Coalition's produce procurement for the 2026-2027 contract period (proposals due August 21, 2026). The State of Georgia posted a broad food supplies bid (due June 22, 2026) with scope details in attached documentation. School nutrition programs dominate the recent opportunities, with Buy American provisions, HACCP requirements, and firm pricing through the contract term standard across most solicitations.