Fresh Basil is best!

FRESH HERBS (Monday, March 17): Well, it's St. Patrick's Day, the one day a year we actually look good in green. So let's turn our mashed potatoes green for the day as well. Michael Marks, Your Produce Man says that getting Leprechaun green mashed potatoes is far easier…and tastier…than you ever imagined. First, simply make your favorite mashed potatoes and set them aside. You can make your own "green" or you can buy it. Making your own is simple enough. Get some fresh basil, parsley and chives, about one bunch each, maybe two. Puree these herbs in a blender, adding a little olive oil to help bind it all. Take this green herb puree and blend it into your mashed potatoes. Another way is to buy some ready-made pesto. There are lots of great ones in the produce department. Start adding the pesto into your mashed potatoes. Add more if you want a greener look. With pesto, presto, you've got green mashed potatoes fit for any St. Patrick's Day dinner.

Onion prices have doubled

ONIONS (Tuesday, March 18): Just in the past month, onion prices have just about doubled, making us all cry. Of course, this time of year, before the new crops really get into the markets, prices are higher. But this year, boy are they higher, and it has to do with the weather. Actually, a drought in the Southern Hemisphere. This drought caused a complete loss of the onion crop in Australia and a 30% loss of onions in New Zealand. So what does the price of onions in New Zealand have to do with onion prices in the United States? Simple. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of fresh onions to the Pacific Rim countries of Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. With drastically reduced supplies, these Pacific Rim nations are turning the United States, draining supplies quickly from Colorado, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Increased demand, fewer supplies, higher prices. Add to that a later and lighter than normal crop from Mexico and south Texas, and you extend those higher prices right into mid-to-late April.

POTATOES (Wednesday, March 19): those sprouting spuds. Every spring, some produce items begin to "re-grow." You'll start noticing sprouts in the middle of your garlic, shallots and onions. And you start to see the wee little peepers on the potatoes. Yep, the spring sprouts begin to sprout in the eyes of the spud. Don't fret. It's quite normal. You'd take your tulip bulbs back and get your money back if they didn't grow and bloom. Well, a sprouting spud means it's a healthy spud. Potatoes, you see, are "tubers" and they have a natural "dormancy cycle." They sleep during the winter months, about 3-4 months. Then, come spring, they wake up. It's called a "dormancy break." Internal hormones signal the tuber that it's time to "re-grow" for the new season. You can try to "lengthen" the dormancy cycle by keeping your spuds in the dark and in the cold. They think it's winter and may try to go back to sleep. The cold, however will turn starches into sugar, which means if you fry your potatoes, all that sugar may turn them too dark. Slight sprouting is great for baked potatoes. You see, the sprouts slightly dehydrate your spud and make for a much fluffier baked potato. This time of year, as supplies are ending from storage bins around the country, prices tend to rise. New crop russets will begin again this summer. Even at these higher prices, they are still one of the cheapest and healthiest vegetables you can eat.

NATIONAL AG DAY (Thursday, March 20): Today happens to be the first day of Spring. Even more important, it is official National Ag Day. America's farm and ranch families are the most productive and efficient in the world, supplying Americans with the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply on Earth. This fact is something most Americans take for granted. As farmers celebrate National Agriculture Week and National Ag Day, it is my hope that all Americans will learn more about agriculture and understand the vital role this industry plays in our nation's security. Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis. Each American farmer feeds more than 120 people . . . a dramatic increase from 25 people

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman

in the 1960s. Quite simply, American agriculture is doing more - and doing itbetter. As the world population soars, there is an even greater demand for the food and fiber produced in the United States. My good friend, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman wants me to remind you that this year,on National Ag Day, find a farmer…and say, "Thank-you."

SEXY STRAWBERRIES (Friday, March 21): Red, juicy, sweet, seductive and sexy. No, I'm not talking about those attending this weekend's 75th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The sexiest fruit on earth has got to be…the Strawberry. Now that we are officially in Spring, the Oscar for best Spring Fruit goes to the Strawberry. Fields from Santa Ana, Anaheim, Irvine, Santa Maria, Oxnard and even Watsonville are in full production. In fact, growers in Watsonville say they are about 3 weeks ahead of schedule in production. Watsonville grows about 2/3 of the supplies in California. Strawberry growers are already producing about 3 million flats ahead of last year's pace. In fact, California growers hit the 1 million flat/week over a month ahead of last year. Watch the rains in California, both Southern and Northern California. Rains this time of year will cause growers to "strip" the plants of all fruit with color. Rain causes ripening berries to "melt," making them useless for harvest. Rains would be the only thing standing in the way of a continued sexy Spring.