In a quandary over how to tell your Mom, Step-Mother or Mother-in-Law that she’s appreciated this Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 13)? Take a tip from Hagob "Jack" Kouredjian, owner of the Edible Arrangements store in Van Nuys, CA (www.ediblearrangements.com) and surprise her with an eye-popping arrangement of cut and ready to enjoy STRAWBERRIES, MELONS, GRAPES and PINEAPPLE.

"Our customers always express delight upon seeing our incredible arrangements" laughs Jack, whose background was in the traditional FRUIT basket business, prior to opening his store in 2006, one of 490 Edible Arrangements franchisees located across the country. The artistic arrangement of cut FRUITS ready to eat at their peak of ripeness is surpassed only by the colorful way the skewered FRUIT pieces are positioned in baskets, ceramic bowls and unusual containers like watering cans to resemble a gigantic flower arrangement in full bloom. Although each arrangement can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours, more often than not all the FRUIT "flowers" are consumed the same day by the happy recipients.

"What makes an Edible Arrangement so special" notes Jack," is that it is not only very pretty, but it’s also very delicious. Our challenge is to use the freshest FRUITS in season, design any one of 18 different arrangements requested by our customer, and then deliver it promptly to the gift recipient. Holidays, whether it be Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas, are always our busiest time of year."

Some Edible Arrangements offer STRAWBERRIES dipped in chocolate, others, such as the BERRY Special Baby for new mothers, features PINEAPPLE cut to resemble hearts and stars. "This summer we’ll offer a seasonal special available only through August called "MELON Delight" says Jack, whose store crew underwent special training to learn how to create FRUIT arrangements that can serve eight to as many as 80 people. "Our newest offering is a Chocolate BANANA Bouquet featuring white and dark chocolate, along with PINEAPPLE, STRAWBERRIES, RED SEEDLESS GRAPES and CANTALOUPE balls."

"I have no idea how many CANTALOUPES and HONEYDEWS we use in a week’s time but I do know that system wide Edible Arrangements has used more than 38 million STRAWBERRIES over the past year," he notes.

In addition to being a healthy gift, says Jack, an Edible Arrangement is also environmentally friendly. Designers use such biodegradable materials as wooden skewers, LETTUCE halves and ornamental KALE to help anchor the cut FRUIT pieces into place.

PINK GRAPEFRUIT from California growers is among this week’s best FRUIT values, delicious served with a sprinkle of brown sugar as a breakfast option or paired with AVOCADO and ONION slices as a salad offering.

KEY LIMES are decreasing in price, although LEMONS continue to hold steady at premium prices, the after-effects of the past winter freeze.

KIWIFRUIT, richer in Vitamin C than STRAWBERRIES, are in plentiful supply at economical prices.

HAWAIIAN PINEAPPLE continues to be an excellent value. Enjoy it diced served over pound cake or COCONUT ice cream.

Quality continues excellent on California STRAWBERRIES. They make a great match served with PAPAYA and a dollop of sour cream, garnished with MINT.

RED FLAME SEEDLESS GRAPES are in plentiful supply, with prices decreasing.

BANANAS are in steady supply at moderate prices. Try adding sliced to shrimp or pork stir-fry dishes. PLANTAINS, a cousin of the popular BANANA, are also in plentiful supply, a delicious side for pork or chicken, cut and fried until crisp.

TOMATOES are in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices. Slice into wedges and steam mussels, GREEN ONION, GARLIC, LEMON juice, butter, salt and pepper for a delicious one-dish supper.

Excellent values continue on PAPAYA from Mexico. Enjoy a slice as an appetizer, with a splash of freshly squeezed LIME juice to bright out the flavor.

Smaller-sizes of Hass AVOCADOS are the best value. Ripeness is easy to determine with Hass variety since the pebbly skin turns blue black and the FRUIT gives in to mild pressure applied by the thumb.

Prices are decreasing on CANTALOUPE MELONS, a great source of cancer-fighting beta-carotene. HONEYDEW MELONS are also very reasonably priced.

Expect much lower volume and more premium prices on PEACHES next month, due to the effects of this winter’s freeze.

BOSC PEARS are in steady supply at moderate prices.

GRANNY SMITH and GALA APPLES are both excellent values now. Use in tarts, turnovers and baked cobblers.

 GREEN BEANS, an excellent source of dietary fiber, are among this week’s best VEGETABLE values. Serve steamed with spicy sauce blending BELL PEPPERS, OLIVE oil, GARLIC and GINGER.

 Large sizes of ARTICHOKES are the most economical value this week. Remove the thorns from the leaves and steam until tender, and then serve with a variety of dipping sauces, such as LEMON-butter, MANGO mayonnaise or hollandaise.

GARNET YAMS are in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices. Bake and serve with HERB butter or whip and blend with beaten egg whites and bake to create a YAM soufflé.

Fresh potted HERBS are a versatile ingredient good to keep handy in the kitchen this spring for making fresh dressing, such as ROSEMARY-BASIL TOMATO dressing or a LEMON-MINT dressing, great for salads or cut TOMATOES.

ICEBERG LETTUCE and GREEN CABBAGE are among the best values for salad entrees this week. ROMAINE LETTUCE, favored for Caesar Salads, is also in steady supply at very reasonable prices.

Salad toppings in steady supply include JICAMA, RADISHES, GREEN ONIONS, CARROTS, SPROUTS, CELERY and BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER florets.

RUSSET POTATOES, a favorite for baking, and RED ROSE POTATOES, great for POTATO salads, are both in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices.

CRIMINI MUSHROOMS, favored for their earthy rich flavor, are in steady supply to use in sauces for grilled steak or raw in salads.

EGGPLANT is plentiful at moderate prices. Slice; dip in egg wash and cornmeal and fry, then serve topped with a TOMATO marinara sauce and a dollop of goat cheese.

SWEET ONIONS are an excellent value from Texas growers, perfect for creating fried tempura-battered rings.

GARLIC is plentiful and economical; keep cool and dry to prevent deterioration.

Good values are plentiful on MINIATURE ROSES, good luck TI plants and blooming potted VIOLETS. In cut arrangements, TULIPS, DAISIES, IRIS, ALSTROMERIA LILIES and MUMS are in plentiful supply.

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