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Finally, the area supermarkets are offering items that will make Easter special. This year, it's all about the holiday ham.

We're starting with Save Mart this week because in addition to the ham they remembered to advertise eggs. What's Easter without coloring eggs then watching the kids scramble to find them? Save Mart's ham deal is a Cook's smoked shank for 88-cents a pound. If you want to get fancy, the spiral sliced or boneless is $1.99lb. And Sunnyside eggs are BOGO!

The produce is noteworthy because strawberries are $2.99 for a 2lb. container. Fresh green beans are 88 cents a pound; asparagus is $1.97lb; fresh broccoli is 99-cents a pound and russet or Sierra gold potatoes are 69-cents a pound. Veggie trays are $4.99-$7.99. For a tasty, low cal treat, try spritzing the veggies with low cal dressing rather than dipping in the Ranch dressing. Avocados are 97 cents each and the radish, green onion and cilantro trio is 3/99 cents.

Save Mart coupons include buns, charcoal briquets and mayo.

If you are going to start the day with snacks, Lay's chips are BOGO and Nabisco crackers are $1.68 a box. Knudsen Sour cream is $1.89 and Green Giant steamers are $1 per package. Cool whip topping is 99-cents and Sara Lee pies are $3.99. Martinelli's sparkling cider is $2 a bottle and most varities of 2-liter sodas are 99-cents each.

You can still get the "Mr. Hopsalot' bunny for free if you purchase three greeting cards and they still have a good supply of Easter candy.

If you have room for dessert, the Strawberry Boston is $7.99 in the bakery.

Raley's has the spiral sliced ham for $1.57lb. Their breakfast special includes Johnsonville sausages 2/$6 and a  dozen eggs for free. A large jug of Minute Maid OJ is $3.99.

A 4-lb. pack of strawberries is $5.99 and sweet pineapple is $2.47 each. Asparagus is $1.99lb; yams are 99-cents a pound. Navel oranges are 79-cents a pound and the veggie trays are $3.99 and $7.99.

Shrimp salad would be a nice addition to Easter dinner. Cooked shrimpmeat is $2.99lb and fresh bagged salads are $2.50 each. Vine ripe tomatoes are $1.88-lb and large stalks of celery are 69-cents each.

Raley's has the same BOGO chip and Nabisco cracker ($1.69 a box) deal. And their bottled spring water is only $2.99 a case. General Mills cereals or Betty Crocker fruit snacks are buy 4, save $4. Total cost of each item is $1.50. You can get the same deal on Keebler cookies and graham crackers. If Powerade is your energy drink, Raley's has a buy 10, get 5 free offer. Works out to 67-cents a bottle.

Some of the Easter goodies are 25% off. Desserts include strawberry shortcake or coconut cake for $8.99; fruit tart for $14.99; cupcakes for $3.99 a dozen ane the Sara Lee oven fresh pies for $2.99.

And there's still time to bag the shopping and order your whole meal at Raley's for $64.99 - $5 off if you order online.

Safeway's whole or shank hams are 99-cents a pound. The spiral sliced is $1.79-lb. Jumbo artichokes are BOGO and bagged salads are $2 each. The Eating Right veggie trays are $4.99 and $9.99. Strawberries are a bargain at $4.99 for a 4-lb. container. Breakfast meats - Oscar Mayer bacon or Jimmy Dean sausage selections are BOGO and Safeway breakfast breads are $2 a loaf. Milk is still a bargain at 2 gallons for $3.98 and Lucerne yogurt is 50-cents for a container.

The Nabisco snack cracker price is the same here, too. $1.69 per box but the Lay's  chips are $1.88. Arrowhead drinking water is $3.99 a case and 12-pack sodas are buy 2, get 2 free. If you are planning to order a party tray from Safeway, be sure to clip the $5 off coupon on page 5 of the ad. They have a good selection of Easter basket essentials with 40% off stuffed animals. Safeway's Boston cream cakes are $5.99 in the bakery.

The $5 Friday only special is oven roasted turkey breast. If you're not eating meat on Good Friday, get the turkey breast anyway and slice it up for sandwiches on Saturday. Deli counter salads in a 3-lb container are $3.99 and the Signature soups are still just $3.99.

There's also a Walmart insert in the Wednesday paper. It's filled with everything you'll need to make your Easter baskets extra sweet. Snickers and Milky Way eggs and bunnies are $2.50 per pack. Starburst, Jolly Rancher jelly beans and SweeTarts are $1.77 a bag and every other variety of Easter candy is $2.96 a bag.

Just so you know, you can buy candy in your kids' favorite color. Kisses, M&M's, Reese's Miniatures and Whoppers are now available by color. Pink Kisses and M&M's; green Reese's; blueberry Whoppers. What will they think of next? Hopefully, no calorie candy!

Come back tomorrow for special Easter recipes from the Shop Cheap kitchen.