UNSPSC 50541581: Frozen non GMO spartan apples

The variety of non GMO apples known as non GMO spartan 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 50541581 Frozen non-GMO Spartan apples, a Commodity code, encompasses fresh and frozen produce items that state and local governments—primarily school districts and county social-services departments—procure to support food-service operations, meal programs, and community nutrition initiatives. Recent solicitations reveal that while the code nominally targets a single apple variety, state and local buyers source frozen and fresh produce more broadly under related commodity codes, with actual procurements spanning multiple apple varieties, berries, cruciferous vegetables, root vegetables, melons, citrus, leafy greens, and specialty produce. School districts dominate the issuing-body mix, followed by county boards of education, county departments of community services, and state procurement offices. Buyers emphasize compliance with Buy American provisions (minimum 51 percent domestic agricultural content for processed items), HACCP food-safety protocols, nutritional standards under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, whole-grain specifications, allergen controls, and domestic-sourcing preferences. Deliveries are typically required Monday through Friday during business hours to school warehouses or designated sites, with F.O.B. destination pricing, no separate fuel surcharges, and firm pricing for contract terms ranging from one to three years. Vendors must provide three professional references, food recall procedures, product formulation statements, nutritional labeling, state health-inspection records, and general liability insurance; many contracts require blind taste testing and USDA compliance documentation.

Hancock County Board of Education (Georgia) recently posted an IFB for fresh produce spanning over 200 line items including multiple apple varieties for the 2026-27 school year, with bids due June 26, 2026; the City of Bridgeport Board of Education (Connecticut) sought bids on over 1,100 grocery items including fresh and frozen produce with a June 30, 2026 deadline; and Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners (Georgia) issued an informal written quote (IWQ) for approximately 1,062 cases of shelf-stable food items with delivery required by December 7, 2026. Early County Board of Education (Georgia) posted a line-by-line food bid encompassing 300+ food items and 60+ non-food products with a June 8, 2026 due date, while the State of Georgia itself posted a statewide food-supplies RFB with a June 22, 2026 deadline. Recent activity concentrates in Georgia (multiple school districts and the state procurement office) and Connecticut, with school-lunch and school-breakfast programs representing the primary funding sources. Award criteria uniformly favor lowest responsive and responsible bidders, with many jurisdictions reserving the right to split awards by line item or select multiple vendors.