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, does not align with the actual purchasing activity reflected in recent state and local solicitations. The code nominally identifies a single dried produce item, yet the opportunities posted under this code span comprehensive food service procurement for schools, counties, and state agencies — including fresh produce, frozen goods, dairy, meats, beverages, condiments, and prepared meals. School districts dominate the issuing-body mix, with Fairfax County Public Schools (Virginia), Bulloch County Board of Education (Georgia), Hancock County Board of Education (Georgia), Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (Georgia), Meriden Public Schools (Connecticut), and Douglas County School System (Georgia) all posting recent bids; other jurisdictions include Bridgeport Board of Education (Connecticut), Pascagoula-Gautier School District (Mississippi), the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (Florida), and the City of Dallas. The scope of work is institutional food service supply — fresh and frozen produce, proteins, grains, dairy, snacks, beverages, and kitchen supplies delivered on fixed schedules to school cafeterias, state facilities, senior centers, and administrative dining locations, with vendors required to comply with USDA Buy American provisions, nutritional standards, HACCP food safety protocols, and federal school meal regulations under Title 7 CFR.

Georgia school districts represent the densest recent activity, with the Douglas County School System alone posting two major RFPs (one for food supply and distribution with an estimated annual spend of $9 million, due February 18, 2026, and one for fresh produce and eggs serving 30 districts with estimated spend of $4.4–$1.1 million by geographic area, due March 4, 2026); Bulloch County School Food Authority issued an IFB for comprehensive groceries due May 4, 2026; Hancock County Board of Education posted an IFB for fresh produce due June 26, 2026; and Savannah-Chatham County Public School System solicited an annual fresh produce contract due April 23, 2026. Outside Georgia, Fairfax County Public Schools (Virginia) posted a Master Grocery K-12 term contract (IFB 2000004323) due April 27, 2026; Meriden Public Schools (Connecticut) issued an RFP for commercial groceries and USDA Foods valued at approximately $3.1 million, due February 25, 2026; and Bridgeport Board of Education (Connecticut) solicited over 1,100 grocery line items under Buy American requirements, due June 30, 2026. The mismatch between the code name and actual procurement suggests the code is being used as a catch-all for institutional food service rather than for dried Empire apples specifically, limiting its utility for vendors targeting apple sales.