Fruit is the part of a flowering plant that contains or consists of one or more seeds. Although fruit is mostly water, it is an excellent source of quick energy, and its fiber content aids in the digestion process. Fruit is low in fat and a great source of vitamins A, C, and B complex, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron.

Gelson's carries a wide selection of melons available in a tantalizing spectrum of colors, shapes, sizes, tastes, and textures. Most melons fall into the broad category of "muskmelons". The exception is watermelon, actually a member of the gourd family. More than two-thirds of all commercially grown melons in the United States are raised in California's hot interior valley. Melons are also imported from Mexico, New Zealand, and Chile.

Cantaloupe A sweet treat that smells and tastes delicious. When you buy a cantaloupe, look for well-shaped melons with a smoothly rounded, depressed area at the stem end. Let cantaloupes mellow at room temperature for a few days after purchase, then use or refrigerate.

Watermelon Big with bright-red flesh. Depending on the variety, watermelons may be oblong or roundish. If you buy a whole watermelon, look for firm, symmetrically shaped fruit with good rind color and a dull, waxy rind texture. When you buy cut watermelon sections, look for bright-red flesh and black seeds. Depending on the season, Gelson's also carries seedless watermelon, which is quite popular during warm summer months.

Honeydew Buy honeydews with a smooth, velvety surface and a creamy white or yellow rind. Avoid honeydews with a stark-white rind tinged with green, as these are likely to be unripe. Keep honeydews at room temperature for a few days before serving, and serve at room temperature for best flavor.

Persian Resembles a large cantaloupe. The rind is dark green and covered with a pale, yellowish netting. The rind turns lighter green as the melon ripens. The flesh of a Persian melon is thick and orange-pink in color. Keep this melon at room temperature for a few days and enjoy its delicate flavor.

Crenshaw The Crenshaw melon has a golden rind tinged with green when ripe. It can be smooth or slightly ribbed. The flesh is salmon pink in color. Look for those which are round at the base and taper to a point at the stem end.

Casaba The rind of a Casaba melon is ridged and golden yellow in color when ripe. Casabas have juicy, sweet, white flesh, but no aroma.

egetables are the edible portions of plants, which include the leaves, stems, and roots. The most nutritious and best tasting vegetables are eaten raw, immediately after they have been harvested.

Vegetables are generally low in fat, cholesterol free, and are a good source of fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamin C, and potassium. Most vegetables are also high in B-complex vitamins, iron, calcium, magnesium, and protein.

At Gelson's you will always find a wide variety of tomatoes available for sale. On average, there are more than 12 varieties of tomatoes displayed in our Produce Departments. Tomatoes are low in calories, yet high in taste and nutrition. Tomatoes are a good source of vitamins A and C and contain potassium, phosphorus, and other important minerals. One large raw tomato, unpeeled, has about 40 calories. Choose smooth, well-formed tomatoes that are firm (but not hard) and heavy for their size. Color varies according to variety and ripeness.

Vine-Ripe or Beefsteak Tomatoes One of the most popular tomatoes grown in the United States, vine-ripened tomatoes are big, red, and juicy, with slightly flattened tops and bottoms. They are available year-round, but are at their peak in the summer and early fall months.

Cherry Tomatoes The cherry tomato is very popular in America. Bite sized and juicy, these tomatoes can be used in mixed green salads, served as cocktail snacks, or used as garnishes.

Cluster Tomatoes Cluster tomatoes are one of our best-selling tomatoes at Gelson's. Imported from Holland and Israel, they are sold with their stems intact, and are sweeter than other varieties.

Hothouse Tomatoes Grown in controlled greenhouses, they have premium flavor and are grown without the use of pesticides or other harmful chemicals.

Plum or Roma Tomatoes These tomatoes are the ideal cooking tomato. With their thick, meaty walls and small seeds, they adapt well to heat. Plum tomatoes are narrow and elongated. Most plum tomatoes are red, but occasionally you will find yellow ones. They are available year-round.

elson's has built its reputation on providing its customers with quality products and superior customer service. That's why our Produce Department stands apart from other supermarkets, because our associates take special pride in making sure that all fruits and vegetables are hand-selected and carefully displayed for our customers.

Behind the scenes, Gelson's has a team of Produce Buyers who work with both local and national growers to bring you the finest and freshest produce available. Gelson's Produce Buyers are up early in the morning checking on deliveries, sampling produce to see that it is of the best quality, and making sure orders arrive on schedule at each location.

Gelson's carries more than 400 different types of fruits and vegetables. Next time you're shopping, stop by the Produce Department and ask a Gelson's Associate about a specific fruit or vegetable. You'll discover that our associates are experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to produce. They are available to help you select produce and offer preparation and storage tips.

Gelson's Associates pay close attention to every detail. Unlike most supermarkets, we don't just display the produce that's delivered to us. Our associates carefully inspect all produce before it's displayed. You'll be surprised at the many little things we do to ensure that you take home only the finest and freshest produce available:

• Gelson's associates hand-stack produce displays on a daily basis, to assure all fruits and vegetables are of the finest quality.

• We trim our lettuce, carrots, and onions, so you buy only what you can use.

• During strawberry season, associates sort through every basket to ensure each strawberry is fresh, plump, unbruised, and delicious.

• When it comes to grapes and cherries, our Produce Associates cull the bad fruit and display only the choicest pieces.

• Corn is available husked.

• We label all our fruits and vegetables with a POINT OF ORIGIN, so you know which country they came from.

• A selection of freshly squeezed juices, fruit salad, and cut fruit and melons is available for purchase every day.