UNSPSC 50586803: Non GMO apio

The variety of Non GMO vegetable known as Non GMO apio. 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 50586803 Non GMO apio, a Commodity code, covers fresh celery — specifically celery cultivars certified as non-genetically modified — that state and local governments procure for school meal programs, cafeterias, and institutional food service operations. Recent solicitations show school districts and county boards of education sourcing celery as a component of broader fresh produce contracts for child nutrition programs, with procurement structured as line-item bids within larger vegetable portfolios rather than as standalone celery-only awards.

Recent activity concentrates heavily in Georgia and Texas school districts competing for annual fresh produce supply contracts through RFPs, RFQs, IFBs, and ITBs with response dates spanning February through June 2026. The Douglas County School System issued RFP SN 26-004 on February 4, 2026 (due March 4, 2026) for fresh produce and eggs serving 30 school districts across two Georgia areas with estimated annual spending of approximately $4.4 million for Area One and $1.1 million for Area Two; Early County Board of Education solicited line-by-line food bids due June 8, 2026 for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs across three schools; and Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas issued RFP 2026-048 on April 14, 2026 (due May 7, 2026) for fresh produce delivery to all district campuses five days per week during the school year. Liberty County Board of Education, Muscogee County School District, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Glynn County Board of Education, McAllen Independent School District, and Austin Independent School District all posted parallel produce procurements in March and April 2026. Celery appears in these solicitations as a specified line item among 60–72 total produce items; vendors typically must meet HACCP certification, Buy American compliance, temperature-controlled delivery requirements, and insurance thresholds of $1–2 million general liability. Award is generally determined by lowest responsive and responsible bid on a line-item basis, with contract terms running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 and renewable for one to four additional one-year periods.