UNSPSC 50525901: Non GMO foothill pommegranates

The variety of non GMO pommegranates known as non GMO foothill pommegranates. 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 50525901 Non GMO foothill pomegranates (Commodity) describes a single produce item, but the recent state and local opportunities tagged with this code reflect a much broader pattern: school districts, county parks departments, and health-care coalitions are procuring fresh produce broadly—apples, berries, citrus, leafy greens, root vegetables, and specialty fruits—with specific line items for bananas, mixed fresh-fruit snacks, and general produce contracts. The work being solicited is food-service procurement for institutional foodservice operations, including school nutrition programs funded by USDA reimbursement, county recreation facilities, and health-care nutrition services. Vendors typically must meet food-safety compliance (HACCP plans, E-Verify verification, debarment certification), carry liability insurance ranging from $500,000 to $1 million, and adhere to delivery schedules and temperature controls. School districts dominate the issuing-body mix, with Madison Metropolitan School District, Hancock County Board of Education, Early County Board of Education, and Bartow County School System posting multiple solicitations in the recent period. County and regional bodies—Collier County Board of County Commissioners and Marion Health Care Coalition—round out the mix. Many districts emphasize domestic sourcing, Buy American compliance on processed items, and local-farm sourcing within 400-mile radii, with evaluation weighting cost heavily (40 percent) alongside compliance, service capability, and diverse-owned business status (5–10 percent where stated).

Recent opportunities span Georgia, Wisconsin, and Florida. Madison Metropolitan School District issued requests for petite bananas (due July 29, 2026) with weekly usage of 70–90 cases and estimated annual value of $78,000 for the 2026–2027 contract year, and a companion RFB for fresh fruit and vegetable snacks (due July 29, 2026) requiring Wisconsin-sourced produce within 400 miles and ready-to-eat, pre-processed delivery. Hancock County Board of Education posted an IFB for fresh produce spanning over 200 line items across apples, berries, cruciferous and root vegetables, melons, citrus, and specialty fruits (due June 26, 2026) for the July 2026–June 2027 contract year. Bartow County School System is seeking local fresh fruits and vegetables from farms within 400 miles (proposals due June 22, 2026). Collier County Board of County Commissioners is negotiating food-service concessions at North Collier Regional Park via ITN (proposals due March 6, 2025). The State of Georgia and Marion Health Care Coalition posted broader food-and-supply procurements that include but are not limited to produce. Activity is concentrated in school nutrition procurement in the Southeast and Midwest, with strong emphasis on local and domestic sourcing, food-safety compliance, and cost-driven awards.