UNSPSC 50541523: Frozen non GMO empire apples

The variety of non GMO apples known as non GMO empire 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 50541523 Frozen Non-GMO Empire Apples is a Commodity-tier code, but state and local governments do not buy frozen empire apples in isolation. The recent solicitations tagged under this code reflect institutional food procurement at school districts, municipalities, and county boards of education—specifically, purchasing frozen and fresh produce as part of much broader grocery, food-service, and nutrition-program contracts. What is actually being bought is comprehensive school-meal supply: fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables (apples in multiple varieties—Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Ambrosia—alongside berries, cruciferous and root vegetables, citrus, and specialty produce), dairy, grains, prepared entrees, condiments, and supplies, all meeting USDA nutrition standards, Buy American domestic-sourcing thresholds (typically 51 percent domestic agricultural content), whole-grain requirements, and low-sodium specifications. Issuing bodies include school districts (Bridgeport Board of Education, Hancock County Board of Education, Early County Board of Education, City Schools of Decatur, Rockwood R-VI School District, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Douglas County School System), cities and counties (City of Bridgeport, State of Georgia), and cooperative purchasing vehicles (GEC Buying Cooperative spanning 30 school districts across two Georgia regions). School districts are the dominant buyers. All vendors must carry HACCP plans, maintain general and product liability insurance ($500,000 to $2,000,000 per occurrence and aggregate depending on the solicitation), comply with debarment and E-Verify requirements, provide food-recall procedures, allow blind or mock testing, and accept Net 30 to Net 45 payment terms with all transportation and packing included in bid pricing and no separate fuel surcharges.

Recent activity concentrates in Georgia and Connecticut, with secondary activity in Missouri. Representative opportunities include the City of Bridgeport Department of Public Purchases issuing an IFB on June 30, 2026 for over 1,100 line items of grocery items supporting the National School Lunch Program, with electronic bids due the same day through OpenGov; Hancock County Board of Education issuing an IFB #SN002-2027 on June 10, 2026 for over 200 fresh-produce line items across multiple apple varieties and other produce with bids due June 26, 2026; and the Douglas County School System issuing RFP SN 26-004 through the GEC Buying Cooperative on February 4, 2026 for fresh produce and eggs serving 30 school districts in two geographic areas with estimated annual spending of $4.4 million and $1.1 million respectively, sealed proposals due March 4, 2026. School district contracts typically run July 1 through June 30 with options to renew or extend, call for firm pricing throughout the contract term (with escalation permitted only on documented market conditions or USDA price reporting), and award on a line-item basis to one or multiple vendors at lowest responsive pricing. Bid timelines are compressed—most due dates fall 4 to 6 weeks from posting. Questions are due 2 to 3 weeks before bid deadline, and awards are made 6 to 8 weeks after closing.