There’s still time to plan a road trip if you haven’t decided upon one vacation destination this year. And if you love fresh produce, you’ll be amazed at how many locales throughout the United States celebrate fruits and vegetables!

Hesperia, CA is home to the world’s first and largest BANANA Club & Museum (www.bananaclub.com) "to keep people smiling, induce more laughter, exercise the sense of humor and stay in good health." A BANANA split is one sure way to bring a smile to anyone’s face!

Glen Arbor, MI is home to the CHERRY Republic, founded by aficionado Bob Sutherland as world headquarters for everything CHERRY, where customers can sample and purchase more than 150 products made from CHERRIES, including wine, salsa and candy (www.cherryrepublic.com).

If POTATOES are your passion, you can see a 4,000 year old specimen at The POTATO Museum, a special exhibit that’s part of the Smithsonian in Washington, DC (www.potatomuseum.com). Other curiosities include paper, jewelry and even bowls made using POTATO starch.

APPLES are honored at the Natural APPLE Museum housed in a pre-Civil War restored barn in Biglerville, PA (www.nationalapplemuseum.com) as well as on the campus of Urbana University in Ohio, where the Johnny Appleseed Museum celebrates the 18^th century folk hero who traveled America planting APPLE seeds.

Pennsylvania produces 46% of America’s MUSHROOM crop and celebrates that bounty with a Museum in Kennett Square PA. (www.mdmd.essortment.com/mushroommuseum_rgaw.htm)

If you’ve always envied "I Love Lucy’s" romp through Italy, schedule a trip to Julian, CA for its GRAPE Stomp Festa September 1 (www.julianca.com) at Menghini Winery.

Watsonville hosts the Monterey Bay STRAWBERRY Festival August 3-5 (www.watsonvillestrawberryfestival.com); The San Diego FRUIT Festival August 9-12 (www.festivaloffruit.org) celebrates the MANGO this year; and for all things TOMATO, the 16^th annual TOMATO Festival in Fairfield, CA (www.fairfielddowntown.com) welcomes visitors August 18!

Life’s a bowl of CHERRIES this week, as BING and RAINIER varieties from the Pacific Northwest are in plentiful supply at reasonable prices. Pit and add to pancake batter, as a topping for ice cream or toss onto green salads.

CANTALOUPE MELON production is at its peak, accounting for very economical prices. Both seeded and seedless WATERMELON, along with HONEYDEW, CASABA and CRENSHAW MELONS are other good picks this week.

NAVEL ORANGES and CLEMENTINE TANGERINES are among the best values in the CITRUS bin this week; add sections to SPINACH salads. LEMON prices are easing slightly as volume improves.

California STRAWBERRY prices continue at economical levels. BLUEBERRIES remain at premium prices due to lighter volume and heavy demand.

BANANAS continue to be plentiful at moderate prices. Be sure to dip BANANA slices in LEMON juice prior to using in salad recipes to prevent browning.

RED PLUMS, BLACK PLUMS, NECTARINES and PEACHES are all in peak supply, great for using in tarts, pies and cobblers.

RED FLAME SEEDLESS and THOMPSON GREEN SEEDLESS GRAPES from California growers are decreasing in price. CHAMPAGNE GRAPES are also in season, perfect for plate garnish and cake decoration.

TOMATOES are plentiful at moderate prices. Chop finely and blend with diced ONION, CUCUMBERS, GARLIC, CHILES and red wine vinegar and refrigerate up to three days for a zesty salsa.

PECANS are a great addition to summer salads and offer the highest amount of anti-oxidants of any NUTMEAT.

California PISTACHIOS are in plentiful supply, great for on-the-go snacking or adding to rice pilaf side dishes.

HASS AVOCADOS continue in plentiful supply, an excellent source of healthy fats that can help prevent migraine headaches.

SWEET WHITE CORN is among the most economical vegetable choices this week, perfect for grilling on the barbecue or steaming and serving with HERB butter.

Quality is excellent on RUSSET POTATOES with large sizes the best value. In place of butter and sour cream, try adding mashed AVOCADOS or TOMATO salsa as a satisfying, yet low calorie topping.

GREEN CABBAGE is plentiful at economical prices, perfect for grating raw into cole slaw either with a creamy Ranch or tangy vinaigrette dressing. Add grated CABBAGE to grilled fish tacos for added flavor and crunch.

WATERCRESS is in steady supply and adds peppery crunch when added to RED or GREEN LEAF or SPINACH Salads. Salad fixings in plentiful supply include GREEN ONIONS, RADISHES, MUSHROOMS, SPROUTS, CELERY, CARROTS and JICAMA.

BROCCOLI is an excellent side dish value this week. Stir-fry with GINGER, GARLIC and BELL PEPPERS in PEANUT oil.

GREEN BEANS continue in plentiful supply at moderate prices. When blanching, use two tablespoons salt per quart of water to help speed up the cooking process and keeping the BEANS green in color.

GREEN and RED BELL PEPPERS are in plentiful supply for serving raw with dip, slicing onto green salads or stuffing with cooked rice and baking as a side dish.

TOMATILLOS, a key ingredient in many Mexican dishes, are in peak supply at very reasonable prices.

SUNFLOWERS are among the best values in cut arrangements, along with MINIATURE CARNATIONS, ROSES and DAISIES. In blooming potted plants, MUMS, ORCHIDS and MINIATURE ROSES are in plentiful supply.

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