Next time you want to add some color to the dining or buffet table, shop your favorite grocery. First hit the floral department and select one or two bunches of colorful and long-lasting blooms. Alstomerias are ideal and carnations work nicely too.  Then head for the produce aisle.

Green, of course, will go with any flowers, so head for broccoli, brussels, avocados, zucchini (baby ones are nice), artichokes, and any leafy greens. Then add veggies that accent your selected colors. For my example, it was radishes, beets, and red onions. Arrange these in a bowl rather than a vase to lay on as many as possible without any florist tools.

Before the event, take photos of your handiwork so you will remember how you did it. And as soon as the dinner or potluck is over, take it apart! Your produce will still be nice and fresh and you can wash almost all of it and use it in another meal – as part of the menu!