UNSPSC 50532004: Dried non GMO cherokee blackberries

The variety of non GMO blackberries known as non GMO cherokee blackberries 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 50532004 Dried non-GMO Cherokee blackberries is a Commodity code covering specialty dried fruit products procured by state and local jurisdictions for school nutrition programs and institutional food service. State and local governments buy dried blackberries primarily as components of larger grocery and produce contracts supporting school meal programs, senior nutrition services, and state-supported facility food operations. The buying entities are school districts, county boards of education, state health and human services agencies, and county commissioners' offices. Scope varies from single-line-item inclusion within comprehensive grocery solicitations (where dried blackberries appear as one of over 1,100 line items) to specialty sourcing within fresh and preserved produce frameworks. Institutional buyers impose strict compliance requirements including USDA Buy American provisions (minimum 51 percent domestic agricultural content in processed products), Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act nutrition standards, HACCP plans, liability insurance naming the buyer as additional insured, product sampling and blind testing, and detailed nutritional labeling and ingredient documentation at bid submission.

Recent opportunities span Connecticut, Texas, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi. The City of Bridgeport Department of Public Purchases (on behalf of the Bridgeport Board of Education) solicited grocery items including specialty dried fruits under IFB BNB052266, with electronic bids due June 30, 2026, for a July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 contract term covering 1,100+ line items delivered to a central warehouse and school sites on a firm fixed-price basis with Net 45 payment terms. Hancock County Board of Education in Georgia posted an IFB for fresh produce spanning 200+ line items (including berries) with bids due June 26, 2026, for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 delivery to three school locations. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission issued an IFB (HHS0017449) for food and consumable products to supply the El Paso State Supported Living Center, with bids due July 11, 2026, and a historical contract value of $1.5 million for the prior twelve-month period. Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners in Florida posted an ITB for senior meal preparation and delivery services valued at $17,832,659.90 over three years, reflecting institutional-scale food procurement. The code shows activity concentrated in school nutrition contracts; state-level institutional food service; and county-administered senior meal programs, all of which incorporate dried specialty fruits as component items within larger food sourcing frameworks.