Every good heart deserves a Valentine, so look beyond that heart-shaped box of chocolates this Valentine’s Day as you plan to surprise and delight someone special during this season of the heart.

Fill a straw basket with clusters of luscious RED FLAME SEEDLESS GRAPES and THOMPSON GREEN SEEDLESS GRAPES surrounding a custom cut cheddar cheese heart from Fiscalini Farmstead Cheese in Modesto, CA (www.fiscalinicheese.com).

Fill a heart-shaped copper mold with a mixture of NUTS in the shell, including WALNUTS, PECANS and ALMONDS, including a nutcracker along with a bottle of Red or white Lexia Muscat wine (www.alicewhite.com) from Australia (according to legend, red and white together symbolized balance and harmony in a relationship).

Chocolate is the ultimate aphrodisiac, whether it is domestic (www.Sees.com or www.hersheys.com) or a lively fine gourmet (www.godiva.com, www.lindt.com, or www.neuchatelchocolates.com). Pair a box of truffles with some California PISTACHIO NUTS (www.pistachios.org) and a bottle of Hardys Sparkling Shiraz (www.hardys.com/au) in a picnic basket and you’re ready to do some serious wooing!

Pair a platter of flavored goat cheeses (HERB, GARLIC, PEPPER), BING CHERRIES and spiced PECANS with a bottle of crisp Talus Pinot Grigio wine (www.taluscollection.com).

If your significant other is a morning person --fill a wicker breakfast tray with ingredients for a sumptuous breakfast in bed: Ready to fill Crepes from Frieda’s (www.friedas.com), KIWFRUIT, ASIAN PEARS, RED BANANAS, BLOOD ORANGES, toasted ALMONDS, cinnamon and yogurt.

Is romance in your future? Wrap up a deck of Tarot cards in a velvet or cashmere scarf, along with a container of Zhena’s "Gypsy Love" Tea (www.gypsytea.com) accompanied with your favorite brand of pasta, fresh "love APPLES" (also known as TOMATOES), olive oil and fresh BASIL.

GALA APPLES, a favorite for both snacking and baking, are among this week’s most affordable FRUIT values. Keep APPLES in cool, dry storage to prevent deterioration in taste and texture.

TOMATOES are in steady supply at moderate prices. Add a slice to hamburgers, or core and fill with non-fat cottage cheese blended with fresh HERBS for a quick lunch. Combine with mozzarella cheese and CUCUMBERS for a quick salad.

Expect a gap in STRAWBERRY production due to the recent freeze, with other BERRY varieties in limited supply at premium prices, including RASPBERRIES, BLACKBERRIES and BLUEBERRIES coming from off-shore suppliers.

STRAWBERRY PAPAYA makes a delicious BERRY substitute for Valentine’s Day, with good supply at moderate prices. Juicy PAPAYA from Mexico is also in steady supply at reasonable prices. Enjoy slices chilled with a splash of LIME juice.

Expect price spikes across the board on CITRUS FRUIT thanks to weather damage, including NAVEL ORANGES, TANGERINES, LEMONS and LIMES. RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT from Texas orchards continues to be in good supply at reasonable prices.

Demand is high for AVOCADOS as Super-Bowl approaches, but Chilean supplies are helping boost light domestic volume and prices are moderate.

BANANAS are holding steady at moderate prices. Blend with yogurt, low fat milk and DATES for a quick smoothie or slice over morning oatmeal or granola cereals.

CHILE is providing some of the best values this week on FRUIT, with PEACHES, NECTARINES and CHERRIES all in good volume, with prices decreasing.

Hawaiian PINEAPPLE and COCONUT are both good values this week. Try them combined atop rice pudding for dessert.

BOSC PEARS are economically priced.

ITALIAN RED ONIONS are among the best VEGETABLE values this week. Cut and enjoy rings over salad, dice finely and add to soups or dip in tempura batter and fry as a tasty appetizer.

Already-bagged and pre-washed LETTUCE and GREENS mixes are the best value for salads this week. GREEN CABBAGE prices are also holding steady in the moderate range. Salad toppings in steady supply include GREEN ONIONS, RADISHES, DAIKON, JICAMA, SPROUTS, CARROTS, CUCUMBERS and MUSHROOMS.

GREEN BEANS, BROCCOLI, CELERY and CAULIFLOWER are among the many VEGETABLES experiencing a temporary price hike due to January’s freeze.

Roasted ROOT VEGETABLES including BEETS, RUTABAGA and TURNIPS make perfect side dishes to chicken, beef or seafood on chilly winter nights.

GARLIC is plentiful. Bake until soft and blend with butter as bread spread or add to mashed POTATOES.

Volume continues steady on RUSSET POTATOES and RED ROSE POTATOES. Create a hot POTATO and GREEN BEAN salad dressed with mustard vinaigrette and ONIONS, CELERY, CAPERS, PARSLEY and fresh DILL.

CHILE PEPPERS are in plentiful supply and recent research indicates they may serve as a cancer preventative as well as regulating blood pressure.

ARTICHOKES are a good side dish choice this week, served hot with dipping sauce or chilled with vinaigrette dressing.

PORTOBELLO and CRIMINI MUSHROOMS are both excellent values.

The arrival of cut TULIPS is a sure sign that winter is half-way through, with ROSES, CARNATIONS and MUMS also plentiful. In the blooming potted plant category, DAISIES, HYDRANGIA, VIOLETS and MINIATURE ROSES are best picks.

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