UNSPSC 50581600: Non GMO asparagus

The type of Non GMO vegetable known as Non GMO asparagus. 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 50581600 Non GMO asparagus, a Class code, does not reflect the actual scope of state and local procurement activity in the recent opportunities block. The solicitations posted under this code cover broad fresh produce procurement for school nutrition programs, institutional food service, and child nutrition initiatives — encompassing dozens of produce items (apples, bananas, broccoli, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, citrus, leafy greens, berries, potatoes, and eggs), not asparagus alone or asparagus with non-GMO specifications. School districts, state departments, and county boards of education are the primary issuing bodies, with school nutrition programs driving the majority of solicitations. The work involves sourcing, storing, and delivering fresh produce weekly or as specified to multiple school sites, maintaining HACCP plans and food safety documentation, complying with Buy American provisions and USDA Child Nutrition Reimbursable standards, and meeting detailed quality, freshness, and delivery-timing requirements. Vendors must carry general liability insurance (typically $1 million to $2 million), comply with federal debarment and E-Verify requirements, and often provide references and health department inspection reports.

Recent activity concentrates in Georgia, Texas, Missouri, and Florida. Representative recent solicitations include the Early County Board of Education (Georgia) RFP for food and non-food products with a response date of June 8, 2026; Northside Independent School District (San Antonio, Texas) RFP 2026-048 for fresh produce with responses due May 7, 2026; Hillsborough County Public Schools (Tampa, Florida) RFP for the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program with a response date of March 11, 2026; Bulloch County School District (Georgia) IFP for locally-grown produce with responses due May 4, 2026; Rockwood R-VI School District (St. Louis County, Missouri) bid for grocery items with responses due April 29, 2026; Douglas County School System (Georgia) RFP through the GEC Buying Cooperative for fresh produce and eggs covering 30 districts with responses due March 4, 2026; and McAllen Independent School District (Texas) RFP 2026-1029 for fresh produce serving 20,000 students with responses due March 6, 2026. Estimated contract values where disclosed range from $600,000 annually (Hillsborough County FFVP) to $4.4 million for Area One of the Douglas County cooperative procurement. No set-aside restrictions or disadvantaged-enterprise designations are noted in the sourced opportunities, though districts encourage participation from small, local, and minority-owned businesses where federal funding or policy permits.