UNSPSC 50581500: Non GMO artichokes

The type of Non GMO vegetable known as Non GMO artichokes. 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 50581500 Non-GMO artichokes is a Class code that does not align with the recent state and local procurement activity tagged under it. The source records show Georgia and Texas school districts, an independent school district in Missouri, and county school systems soliciting fresh produce, frozen vegetables, dairy, grains, meats, and miscellaneous grocery items for child nutrition programs—categories that span far broader commodity families than artichokes alone and do not emphasize non-GMO verification or single-produce-type sourcing. The mismatch suggests the code may be mislabeled in some jurisdictions' procurement systems or applied overly broadly to institutional food service RFPs.

The actual recent activity under the code shows school districts, county boards of education, and state agencies across Georgia, Texas, Missouri, and Florida issuing RFPs, RFQs, IFBs, and ITBs for bulk fresh produce, eggs, and full grocery line items supporting National School Lunch and Breakfast programs and USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Programs. Representative recent solicitations include Early County Board of Education's IFB for 300+ food items and 60 non-food products due June 8, 2026; Northside Independent School District's RFP 2026-048 for fresh produce due May 7, 2026; Hillsborough County Public Schools' FFVP solicitation with estimated annual budget of $600,000 due March 11, 2026; the Douglas County School System's cooperative RFP for 72 produce line items spanning 30 districts with estimated spend of $5.5 million across two areas, due March 4, 2026; and multiple Georgia county and municipal school systems issuing produce ITBs with response deadlines between late March and late May 2026. Vendors face firm pricing requirements, Buy American compliance mandates, HACCP certification, food safety documentation, liability insurance minimums typically ranging from $500,000 to $2,000,000, compliance with federal debarment and E-Verify rules, and award to lowest responsive and responsible bidders on a line-item basis. No incumbent vendors are named across the solicitations, and set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises are not specified, indicating open competition among qualified suppliers.