UNSPSC 50586840: Non GMO lotus root

The variety of Non GMO vegetable known as Non GMO lotus root. 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 50586840 Non GMO lotus root is a Commodity code that captures state and local procurement of fresh produce and specialty food items for food service operations, though recent activity under this specific code focuses broadly on produce procurement rather than lotus root specifically. State and local governments buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and produce through this taxonomy for school lunch programs, county park concessions, healthcare facility food service, and state institutional feeding operations. The issuing bodies include county boards of education (pursuing USDA-compliant lunch and breakfast program procurement), county parks and recreation divisions (managing concession food service), healthcare coalitions, and state procurement offices. Vendors typically must demonstrate compliance with food safety regulations, HACCP plans, Buy American sourcing preferences where applicable, health permits, and commercial liability insurance; school districts often emphasize whole-grain compliance, low-sodium formulations, and domestic sourcing.

Recent solicitation activity appears concentrated in the Southeast. Early County Board of Education in Georgia issued a line-by-line IFB due June 8, 2026 for approximately 300 food items spanning meats, produce, grains, and dairy across three schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, with contract pricing firm for 15 days and escalation requests considered on a six-month basis. Collier County Board of County Commissioners in Florida issued an ITN due March 6, 2025 for food services at North Collier Regional Park with a 10-point local-vendor preference for vendors meeting Collier or Lee County business address and residency criteria, three-year term with two one-year renewal options, and evaluation criteria including menu variety, food safety compliance, and WBE/MBE status. Marion Health Care Coalition sought produce vendor proposals due August 21, 2026 for the 2026-2027 contract period with seasonal pricing adjustments. The State of Georgia issued a broader food, supplies, and kitchen products IFB due June 22, 2026 with full scope in an attached solicitation document.