UNSPSC 50541500: Frozen non GMO apples

The type of fleshy usually rounded and red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a tree (genus malus) of the rose family that has been frozen 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 50541500 Frozen non-GMO apples (Class) describes fresh and frozen produce that state and local school districts and food service agencies procure in bulk for child nutrition programs, though recent opportunities solicited under this code span a much broader range of grocery and fresh produce items beyond frozen apples alone. School nutrition programs across state and local jurisdictions dominate the issuing body mix, with multiple school districts and county boards of education posting solicitations. The work being bought includes fresh produce staples (apples in multiple varieties, berries, root vegetables, leafy greens, citrus fruits), processed fresh items (pre-cut vegetables, fruit cups), frozen foods, grocery staples (grains, cereals, dairy, condiments), bread products meeting USDA whole-grain standards, fluid milk, and comprehensive food-service line items spanning meats, poultry, seafood, and prepared entrees. All products must meet federal nutrition standards under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, include proper labeling with nutrition facts panels, comply with Buy American provisions requiring minimum 51 percent domestic agricultural commodity content in processed products, and meet detailed food-safety specifications including HACCP plans and food-recall procedures. Vendors must maintain commercial general liability insurance (typically $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate), demonstrate E-Verify compliance, provide state health inspection documentation, and submit USDA compliance and debarment certifications. Deliveries occur Monday through Friday during designated morning and early-afternoon windows to school sites or central warehouses, with pricing remaining firm for the contract period and all transportation charges included in bids.

Recent activity concentrates in Georgia and surrounding states, with prominent solicitations from the City Schools of Decatur (IFB for frozen foods and grocery, due May 15, 2026), Hancock County Board of Education (IFB for fresh produce, due June 26, 2026), the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (bid for fresh produce encompassing 72 items with estimated annual spending supporting 60 school sites, due April 23, 2026), Douglas County School System (RFP for fresh produce and eggs through GEC Buying Cooperative serving 30 school districts with estimated annual expenditure of $5.5 million, due March 4, 2026), and Early County Board of Education (line-by-line bid for 300+ food items and non-food supplies, due June 8, 2026). Beyond Georgia, the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut is soliciting grocery items for the Bridgeport Board of Education spanning over 1,100 line items with electronic bids due June 30, 2026, and Rockwood R-VI School District in St. Louis County, Missouri is seeking grocery items encompassing over 900 line items for service to approximately 6,900 lunch and 900 breakfast participants daily, with electronic bids due April 29, 2026. Contract terms typically run July 1 through June 30 with renewal options extending one to four additional years, and awards are made to lowest responsive and responsible bidders with district option to award to single or multiple vendors on a line-item basis.