According to the U.S.D.A., Americans' annual per capita consumption of strawberries totals nearly five pounds. Just about every American household enjoys this luscious fruit. And, thanks to ideal growing conditions and the favorable climate in Southern and Baja California, Fresh Pac is able to bring fresh strawberries to consumers' plates during the peak consumption periods of the year.

Raspberries
In recent years, chefs and home cooks alike have discovered that raspberries are no longer just for dessert. Their intense flavor and ruby-red color make them irresistible in appetizers, salads, sauces and main courses. But the very best way to eat them may still be straight from the basket, unadorned.

Vine-Ripened Tomatoes
A vast knowledge of plants and gardening was just one of the many accomplishments of President Thomas Jefferson. Among his fertile vegetable garden were unusual and experimental vegetables, many not yet appreciated by the American palate. One of those vegetables was the vine-ripened tomato. Jefferson grew and enjoyed eating tomatoes at a time when few Americans had heard of them, let alone ate them.

The American taste for tomatoes has come a long way in the past two centuries! Today, tomatoes are an essential staple in the kitchen and are prized for their color, flavor and nutritional qualities. At Fresh Pac, vine-ripened tomatoes are carefully hand-selected when mature and ready for the market.

Roma Tomatoes
In some parts of the United States, roma tomatoes are known as "plum" tomatoes. By either name, this oval-shaped fruit has a thicker skin and drier texture than other tomatoes, making them an ideal candidate for homemade sauces. Experienced cooks prefer the roma tomato for homemade sauces because with less juice, the roma tomato creates a thicker, more flavorful sauce.

Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are savored for their intense, sweet flavor and juicy texture. This small round fruit is delicious served with dips as an appetizer, in salads, or simply warmed in a skillet with olive oil and freshly chopped shallots and herbs.

Cucumbers
The expression "cool as a cucumber" aptly describes one of the cucumber's attributes: the cucumber is literally cool. It maintains its inside temperature several degrees cooler than its surrounding environment. And when served fresh from the refrigerator, its chilly, crisp personality appeals to just about everyone.

The cucumber is one of the oldest grown vegetables - it has been under cultivation for more than 4000 years. A native of either India or Africa, it was introduced to Europe as early as the 9th century. When European explorers came to the New World, they brought cucumbers with them.

Squash
Squash are thin-skinned, tender vegetables prized for their quick cooking and compatibility with many other foods. Once considered a humble vegetable, summer squash, in all its varieties, has been re-discovered for its taste, versatility and nutrition.

Shoppers can now find Fresh Pac zucchini in the classic green variety as well as the relatively new bright yellow zucchini, commonly referred to as Gold Bar. Both can be used interchangeably in recipes. Sliced, diced or chopped, summer squash cooks quickly and lends its nutty flavor to stir-frying, barbecuing, soups, salads, and pastas.