Strawberries
Small, sweet Texas strawberries are picked in early and mid-April from Poteet south of San Antonio as well as Gillespie County in the Hill Country, and later in the month in East Texas. They are available mainly at pick-your-own operations, roadside stands and a few grocery stores. These fresh berries are a great buy for health-conscious consumers and anyone who craves the intense flavor of a just-picked product. Strawberries contain folic acid and phytochemicals thought to reduce the incidence of cancer.

Selection: Look for strawberries that are ripe but still firm enough to handle. The fruit should be bright and evenly colored. Caps should be green and fresh in appearance. Smaller berries are usually more intensely flavored than larger ones.

Storage: Do not wash or hull berries until you are ready to serve them. Moisture will hasten decay and rob berries of flavor. Store them refrigerated at all times. They will maintain freshness for approximately three days.

General Produce Safety Guidelines:

• All fresh produce that is peeled or cut should be refrigerated within two hours. Leftover cut produce should be discarded if left at room temperature for more than two hours.
• Hands should be washed with hot soapy water before and after handling fresh produce.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables with cool tap water immediately before eating. Do not use soap or detergents. Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush. Cut away bruised or damaged areas before eating.
• Wash surfaces often. Cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops should be washed with hot soapy water and sanitized after coming in contact with fresh produce. Always use clean cutting boards and utensils when handling fresh produce.