Searching for a sensational way to celebrate the arrival of Spring? Look no further than the new crop of California STRAWBERRIES now coming to market.

Every bursting with flavor BERRY is a rich source of Vitamin C, antioxidants, folate, potassium and fiber. Just eight BERRIES a day (a low 45 calories) can help regulate blood pressure and benefit heart heath.

California is the largest producer of STRAWBERRIES (www.calstrawberry.com), with 88 percent of the country’s volume grown in the Golden State, a total of a billion pounds cultivated over 30,000 acres. True STRAWBERRY fans will want to mark their calendars for the annual Strawberry Festival in Oxnard (www.strawberry-fest.org) scheduled this year for May 19 and 20.

STRAWBERRIES are heavenly enjoyed unadorned and out of hand, but they are twice as divine dipped in a little balsamic vinegar, then powdered sugar to enhance their sweet flavor.

For a colorful and zesty start to any meal, offer STRAWBERRY-MINT soup, combining pureed ripe BERRIES with sour cream, ORANGE juice, heavy cream and chopped fresh MINT.

A chilled FRUIT cup combining sliced STRAWBERRIES, KIWIFRUIT and PINEAPPLE garnished with toasted COCONUT makes a tasty start to any meal.

Dress up SPINACH Salads by adding sliced STRAWBERRIES, chopped RED ONIONS and PINE NUTS in a mustard-honey dressing.

Add STRAWBERRY slices and slivered ALMONDS to breakfast pancake or waffle batter.

Cook STRAWBERRIES with RAISINS, vinegar, ORANGE juice, GINGER, orange segments and sugar until thickened to create a quick chutney that is delicious with grilled chicken or pork entrees.

PEACHES from Chile are among the most economical FRUIT offerings this week. Try them grilled as a side dish for chicken or enjoy in pies, tarts or as a topping for waffles.

BANANAS are in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices.

THOMPSON GREEN SEEDLESS GRAPES, RED FLAME SEEDLESS GRAPES and BLACK SEEDLESS GRAPES all continue in steady supply at moderate prices.

BLACKBERRIES are among the best BERRY values, with quality excellent. BLUEBERRIES are also in steady supply at more premium prices.

TOMATOES are in steady supply, with ROMA varieties among the most economical. Slice into salads, use to create pasta sauces or dice finely for use in fresh salsa dips.

RED DELICIOUS and FUJI APPLES are among the best values this week, for snacking or baking. Finely diced APPLES blended with mayonnaise and freshly grated HORSERADISH makes a delicious sauce for swordfish, salmon or trout.

AVOCADOS are in plentiful supply from Chile, with prices at moderate levels. Enjoy in a salad sliced over bitter GREENS with RED ONION rings, goat cheese, toasted WALNUTS and BLACKBERRIES dressed with WALNUT oil.

Best values in the CITRUS FRUIT bin include RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT and HONEY TANGERINES, with ORANGE and LEMON volume remaining tight since the winter freeze with premium price levels.

Fresh GINGER is in steady supply. Grate and blend with CARROTS, chicken stock, GARLIC, COCONUT milk, cumin, ONION and CILANTRO, cook and puree and serve seasoned with salt and pepper.

The produce department is always a good source of healthy snack foods, including DATES, RAISINS, DRIED FRUITS and PISTACHIO NUTS.

WATERMELON and CANTALOUPE are the best choices in the MELON category. A slice of either makes a quick, low-calorie snack option.

ICEBERG LETTUCE, a favorite salad staple, is among this week’s most economical vegetable values. Store refrigerated in a ventilated plastic bag and don’t wash until just ready to serve. Salad toppings in steady supply include RADISHES, GREEN ONIONS, MUSHROOMS, CARROTS, CELERY, JICAMA and SPROUTS. GREEN CABBAGE is an excellent value. Shred raw for Cole slaw salads.

Good values continue on GREEN BELL PEPPERS.

RUSSET POTATOES are an excellent value by the pre-packaged bag. Other varieties in steady supply include PURPLE POTATOES, RED POTATOES and RUSSIAN BANANA POTATOES.

PEARL ONIONS are in steady supply. Try them creamed as a side dish paired with PEAS or CARROTS.

ZUCCHINI SQUASH is in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices. Peel, slice and sauté along with GARLIC, ONIONS and BELL PEPPERS for a quick side dish.

EGGPLANT prices are holding at reasonable levels. Slice, dip in egg wash and cornmeal and fry as a side dish.

BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER are both best bets for side dishes this week, with volume plentiful, prices reasonable and quality excellent.

YELLOW CHILI PEPPERS, PASILLA and ANAHEIM CHILI PEPPERS are all in plentiful supply from Mexico.

Expect volume to continue to increase on two spring favorite choices: ASPARAGUS and ARTICHOKES as the season progresses.

Volume continues steady on BEETS, SWEET CORN and TURNIPS.

Excellent values on cut DAFFODILS, TULIPS, MINIATURE CARNATIONS and ROSES this week. In potted blooming plants, there is plenty of variety, including TULIPS, HYACYNTHS, MINIATURE ROSES, ANTHURIUM and DAISIES.

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