UNSPSC 50544606: Frozen non GMO cantaloupe melons

The variety of muskmelon (cucumis melo reticulatus) having a rind with netted tracery and reddish orange flesh 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 50544606 Frozen non-GMO cantaloupe melons is a Commodity code that captures state and local procurement of fresh and frozen produce for school nutrition programs, though recent opportunities tagged to this code show substantial divergence from the specific product line. School districts and boards of education source frozen and fresh produce—including melons, berries, root vegetables, leafy greens, and citrus fruits—primarily through annual food service contracts that span hundreds of line items across multiple produce categories and frozen grocery items. These solicitations emphasize USDA Buy American compliance (minimum 51 percent domestic agricultural content), HACCP food safety plans with 24/7 recall accessibility, whole-grain and low-sodium product standards consistent with the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, and firm fixed pricing with no fuel surcharges. Issuing bodies are predominantly school districts and boards of education (Bridgeport Board of Education, Hancock County Board of Education, Early County Board of Education, City Schools of Decatur, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Rockwood R-VI School District, and Douglas County School System) supported by state-level and regional cooperative buying vehicles such as the GEC Buying Cooperative. A small number of state and municipal entities also participate—the State of Georgia and the City of Bridgeport Department of Public Purchases—though school nutrition represents the dominant use case.

Recent activity concentrates in Georgia, Connecticut, and Missouri, with the heaviest volume in Georgia across multiple school systems. Representative solicitations include the City of Bridgeport's IFB for over 1,100 grocery line items due June 30, 2026, supporting the National School Lunch Program with delivery to schools and a central warehouse; Hancock County Board of Education's IFB for fresh produce spanning 200+ line items with bids due June 26, 2026; and the Douglas County School System's RFP for fresh produce and eggs serving 30 school districts across two Georgia areas, with estimated annual spending of approximately $5.5 million combined and proposals due March 4, 2026. Early County Board of Education solicited approximately 300+ food items and 60+ non-food supplies due June 8, 2026, while the City Schools of Decatur issued an IFB for frozen foods and grocery items due May 15, 2026, and Rockwood R-VI School District in Missouri solicited over 900 line items due April 29, 2026. The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System bid fresh produce (72 items, including cantaloupes) due April 23, 2026. Most contracts run July 1 through June 30 with optional renewal terms; all require sealed bid or proposal submission through e-procurement portals, with mandatory compliance documentation including liability insurance ($500,000 to $2,000,000), debarment certification, E-Verify authorization, and food safety and recall procedures.