UNSPSC 50542908: Frozen non GMO khadrawi/khadrawy dates

The variety of non GMO dates known as non GMO khadrawi/khadrawy dates 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 50542908 Frozen non-GMO khadrawi/khadrawy dates is a Commodity code that captures specialty frozen fruit items purchased by state and local school nutrition programs as part of broader grocery and fresh produce procurement for child nutrition services. However, recent state and local solicitations under this code show minimal direct activity for dates specifically; instead, school districts and municipalities are buying dates as line items within comprehensive grocery, frozen foods, or fresh produce bids that span hundreds of items including produce staples, dairy, proteins, grains, and prepared foods. The work being solicited involves supplying USDA-compliant, nutritionally labeled products meeting whole-grain, low-sodium, and allergen standards (no nuts or nut oils) to school nutrition programs operating under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Issuing bodies are predominantly school districts and county boards of education, with occasional state-level and municipal purchasing offices coordinating multi-district cooperative arrangements. Vendors must maintain HACCP plans, carry general liability and products liability insurance at $500,000 to $2,000,000 levels, comply with Buy American provisions requiring 51 percent domestic content in processed goods, demonstrate E-Verify authorization, and accept electronic ordering through platforms such as LINQ School Solutions or NUTRIKIDS.

The recent activity cluster is concentrated in Georgia and surrounding Southeast states, with active procurement from the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Douglas County School System (serving 30 districts through the GEC Buying Cooperative), Hancock County Board of Education, Early County Board of Education, and City Schools of Decatur, alongside solicitations from the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Rockwood R-VI School District in Missouri. Representative opportunities include the Douglas County School System RFP SN 26-004 for fresh produce and eggs across two geographic areas with estimated annual spending of $4.4 million and $1.1 million (responses due March 4, 2026), the Rockwood R-VI School District's bid for over 900 grocery line items for the 2026–27 school year (due April 29, 2026), the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System's bid for 72 fresh produce items (due April 23, 2026), and the City of Bridgeport Department of Public Purchases' IFB for over 1,100 grocery items for the Board of Education (due June 30, 2026). Contract terms typically run July 1 through June 30 with firm pricing and no fuel surcharges, payment within 30–45 days of delivery, and options to renew for additional years. The code shows limited isolated activity for dates as a standalone commodity; pursuit should focus on inclusion within larger school nutrition supply vehicles where dates appear as secondary items in mixed-produce or grocery line-item bids.