Nothing says summer like fresh strawberries! With eye catching, red color and sweet, juicy taste, it's no wonder the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the average American eats four pounds of strawberries each year, making it by far, the favorite berry.

Thanks to SYSCO imports, you can get strawberries year round, but the highest level of production in the United States is during the month of May. Then, the fruit and the price gets a whole lot sweeter! It's the perfect time to add strawberries to your menu and your sales pitch. Here are some ideas to get your chefs thinking and your servers talking:

• Burritos with strawberries and fontina cheese
• Shrimp, strawberry and cashew salad
• Fresh, grilled mahi mahi with strawberry-lime salsa
• Whipped smoothies with fresh strawberries, bananas and vanilla
• Strawberry daiquiris, strawberries dipped in chocolate, strawberry garnishes

All your other favorites will sell better and sound sweeter when your sales team communicates just how fresh and plump the strawberries are this season. To add more fun, create a contest that tests customers' knowledge of strawberries. When customers get more than three correct, they can pick the strawberry item they want for half price!