Strawberries are a very popular impulse buy when grouped together at the front of the produce department with dipping chocolates & caramels, shortcake, and whipping creams, as well as other complementary items perfect for a Valentines Day dessert. With this type of merchandising, berries have been proven to increase a department's overall sales, significantly driving up a stores ring at the registers.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">When choosing a strawberry, it's important for a consumer to consider the overall color of the berries in the package. A rich, bright red color throughout means the berries are at their peak of ripeness. Yellow or white areas mean the berry is not fully ripe, and brown spots indicate they may have been bruised in transportation. In addition, the berry's "shine" can be a good indicator of how long ago they were picked. <hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">An important tip for consumers is that once at home, the berries should be stored in the refrigerator immediately and not rinsed until they are ready to be served or eaten. This will keep the berries fresher longer, as any berry begins to deteriorate rapidly once they have been washed. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and strawberries are a perfect Valentines Day treat. Not only is their striking red color perfect for this particular holiday, but their significant size and rich color make for a luscious and mouthwatering display that is sure to attract attention."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
