Overwhelmed by the thought of picking the perfect papaya? The best broccoli? With the help of our farmers and suppliers, here's a few guidelines on selecting the right fruits or vegetables:

From the California Strawberry Commission:
Strawberries. Contrary to popular belief, size is no indication of flavor. Select strawberries that have a nice, red color and a green, fresh-looking cap. They should be refrigerated to keep them fresh, but taste best at room temperature. Just don't wash or take off the cap until you're ready to eat.

From Darren VanDyke of Five Crowns:
Cantaloupes. Choose one that is completely covered in a thick straw-colored netting, with no trace of the stem attached to the melon. When ripe, they'll give off a slight cantaloupe fragrance while yielding to slight pressure on the blossom end (opposite end of stem).