UPDATE: How to Squeeze Every Cent When Buying Fruit

Updated with lists of produce available as the market opened Sunday morning.

A few weeks back we featured a list of theThis week we're turning to the Top 10 fruits, most of which you can find at local farmers markets in one season or another.

They're lists that might be worth a look if you follow  on eating fruits and vegetables (reported on recently by Patch columnist Holland Brown), since you're likely to be buying more of both. Meanwhile, food prices in general continue to rise.

The fruits making the Top 10 that are currently available at Sunday's Harbor Area Farmers Market in the Marina are: oranges (No. 3), apples (No. 4.), strawberries (No. 5) and grapefruit (No. 7). With the citrus fruits and strawberries being the ones currently in season, though, they'll most likely pack the most vitamins. 

Here's the complete list of most nutrition-rich fruits for the price, from the Sightline Institute, a nonprofit sustainability think tank.

1. Watermelon
2. Plums
3. Oranges
4. Apples
5. Strawberries
6. Cantaloupe
7. Grapefruit
8. Bananas
9. Kiwi
10. Peaches

The rankings are based by price price-per-cup as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and nutritional ratings from the ANDI (Aggregate Nutrient Density Index). But keep in mind that it's just a general guideline. If you are getting a good deal on strawberries or grapefruit, for instance, those might actually be your best nutrional buys.

And of course it may be worth it to pay a little more for the freshest, because of its higher nutrition--not to mention its better taste.

Along with strawberries, oranges, apples and grapefruit, you can find the following in abundance and looking very good at the Sunday market, as of this morning:

• tangerines
• carrots
• broccoli
• peas (snow, snap and English)
• spinach
• lettuce (romaine, red leaf, butter) and mixed greens
• cabbage
• cilantro
• beets 
• brussels sprouts
• artichokes
• potatoes (several varieties and sizes)
• yams
• sweet potatoes
• garlic
• onions (including Maui)
• avocados

Also available:

• tomatoes (including on-the-vine)
• green beans
• asparagus
• blackberries
• red raspberries
• blueberries
• parsnips
• turnips
• mushrooms
• Savoy spinach
• bok choy
• Chinese broccoli
• artichokes
• shallots
• leeks
• Jerusalem artichokes
• kale
• kohlrabi
• radishes
• parsley
• avocados

Note: As the rains continue, pay extra attention to rinsing your produce this week--especially items like lettuce and other greens--because of muddiness in the fields.

Harbor Area Farmers Market (Long Beach Southeast). Alamitos Bay Marina, on East Marina Drive, one-quarter mile south of East Second Street, just west of Pacific Coast Highway. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (though some vendors are ready to sell at 7 a.m.). www.goodveg.org.