UNSPSC 50541522: Frozen non GMO elstar apples

The variety of non GMO apples known as non GMO elstar apples that have 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 50541522 Frozen non-GMO Elstar apples, a Commodity code, does not reflect the actual scope of work that state and local governments are procuring under this designation. Recent solicitations show that school districts, county boards of education, and municipal school systems are sourcing frozen and fresh produce far more broadly than the code's nominal product line — they are acquiring comprehensive fresh produce assortments (apples across multiple varieties, bananas, berries, leafy greens, root vegetables, citrus, peppers, tomatoes, and melons), frozen grocery items, prepared entrees, dairy products, meats, poultry, seafood, grains, breads, condiments, and non-food supplies to support National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program operations. The issuing bodies are predominantly school districts and county boards of education across the Southeast, with individual procurement spans ranging from 200 to over 1,100 line items per contract. All solicitations impose Buy American provisions (minimum 51% domestic agricultural content in processed products), HACCP compliance and 24/7 food-recall accessibility, product-specification and nutrition-standard adherence (whole grains, low sodium, no trans fats), sealed-bid or RFP submission through electronic procurement portals (Bonfire, OpenGov, LINQ), and firm fixed pricing with transportation prepaid to multiple school delivery sites.

Georgia and Connecticut dominate recent activity, with the Douglas County School System (serving 30 districts across two geographic areas with estimated annual spending of $4.4 million for Area One), Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, City Schools of Decatur, Hancock County Board of Education, Early County Board of Education, and the City of Bridgeport Department of Public Purchases each posting fresh produce, frozen foods, or comprehensive grocery solicitations since February 2026. Representative opportunities include the Douglas County School System RFP SN 26-004 for fresh produce and eggs across 30 districts with sealed proposals due March 4, 2026; the City of Bridgeport IFB for over 1,100 grocery line items with bids due June 30, 2026; Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for 200+ fresh produce items due June 26, 2026; Rockwood R-VI School District (St. Louis County, Missouri) solicitation for 900+ grocery items with bids due April 29, 2026; and Savannah-Chatham County Public School System's bid for 72 fresh produce items due April 23, 2026. Contract terms typically run July 1 through June 30 with renewal options, and award methodology frequently permits line-item allocation to multiple vendors based on lowest responsive pricing.