UNSPSC 50531526: Dried non GMO gala apples

The variety of non GMO apples known as non GMO gala 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 50531526 Dried non-GMO Gala apples is a Commodity code representing specialized produce items sourced for institutional food service, but the recent state and local opportunities tagged under this code span a far broader scope than dried apples alone. The City of Bridgeport Department of Public Purchases, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and multiple school districts are soliciting fresh and processed produce, meals, and ancillary food service products under related UNSPSC and NIGP classifications. The actual work being bought includes fresh produce procurement for school nutrition programs, grocery staples and prepared foods for school lunch operations, institutional meal preparation and delivery for senior services, and consumable food products for state-supported living facilities. Issuing bodies range across school districts (Hancock County Board of Education, Pascagoula-Gautier School District), city purchasing departments (Bridgeport), county boards (Hillsborough County), and state health and human services agencies (Texas HHS Commission, State of Georgia). Many solicitations impose Buy American requirements (minimum 51 percent domestic agricultural content), compliance with the National School Lunch Program and Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act nutrition standards, HACCP plans, and extensive food safety and product-testing documentation at vendor expense.

Geographic spread includes Connecticut (Bridgeport), Texas (El Paso), Georgia (statewide and Hancock County), Florida (Hillsborough County), and Mississippi (Pascagoula-Gautier). Representative recent opportunities include the City of Bridgeport's IFB for over 1,100 line items of grocery items and fresh produce for the Bridgeport Board of Education, due June 30, 2026, requiring firm fixed pricing with no freight surcharges, Net 45 payment terms, and blind testing by school personnel; the Texas HHS Commission's IFB HHS0017449 for food and consumables at the El Paso State Supported Living Center with a prior-period value of $1.5 million, due July 13, 2026; Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for fresh produce spanning over 200 line items including multiple apple varieties, berries, and vegetables for the 2026–27 school year, due June 26, 2026; and Hillsborough County's ITB 26-00289 for senior meal preparation and delivery services with an estimated contract value of $17,832,659.90 over three years, due June 25, 2026. The code shows no isolated activity around dried Gala apples specifically; the recent solicitations reflect broader institutional food service procurement in which dried or fresh produce is one line item or component among dozens.