UNSPSC 50531523: Dried non GMO empire apples

The variety of non GMO apples known as non GMO empire apples that have been dried for preservation. 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 50531523 Dried non-GMO empire apples, a Commodity code, reflects state and local government purchases of fresh and processed produce for school nutrition programs, senior meal services, and institutional food operations. The code sees active solicitation across school districts, state health and human services agencies, and county governments, with recent opportunities spanning multi-line-item produce bids that bundle dried apples alongside fresh fruits, vegetables, and related food service items. Issuing bodies include independent school districts (Hancock County Board of Education in Georgia, Pascagoula-Gautier School District in Mississippi), city school nutrition departments (Bridgeport Board of Education in Connecticut), state health agencies (Texas Health and Human Services Commission), and county government nutrition programs (Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners in Florida). The scope of work includes sourcing compliant produce to meet National School Lunch Program requirements, Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act nutrition standards, Buy American domestic-content minimums (typically 51 percent for processed agricultural products), HACCP food-safety protocols, and delivery to school sites and senior meal facilities on firm fixed pricing with no fuel surcharges permitted.

Recent activity concentrates in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions, with documented solicitations in Connecticut, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, and Texas. Representative opportunities include Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for fresh produce across multiple apple varieties and 200+ line items (due June 26, 2026), the City of Bridgeport Department of Public Purchases' grocery items bid supporting the Board of Education's Food & Nutrition Services Department with over 1,100 line items and Buy American compliance (due June 30, 2026), and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's IFB for food and consumables at the El Paso State Supported Living Center (due July 11, 2026, with historical annual value of $1.5 million). Bidders encounter mandatory compliance requirements including nutritional analyses with product labeling, state health inspections, HACCP certifications, E-Verify authorization, commercial general liability insurance ($1 million to $2 million per occurrence), and blind sample testing at vendor expense. Contract terms typically run one school or fiscal year (July 1 through June 30 or September 1 through August 31) with optional renewal or extension periods at the buyer's discretion.