This year the organics that come in the 8oz. bags were late, and I got name brand. Just as you described. It seemed like they were packaged without having been sorted. The organics in years past were much better for that. I always sort cranberries, blueberries, beans, whatever. I suppose for some uses it doesn't matter, and nowadays it's highly unlikely to find rocks, but that's they way I was taught as a child and even when the "bad" ones are harmless, it's not something I can unlearn.

I buy lots when available and freeze. I think it’s almost easier to find the crinkled up bad ones once frozen.

I wonder if a labor shortage affected the ability to sort? I always buy organic and don't find it to be a problem. We have a robust cranberry industry here in WA (and maybe in OR?) so they are usually pretty fresh. I do think they are all harvested at once in a short time span so it's not like lettuce where you're getting a new crop fresh every week. Once they are picked and bagged, they are only that fresh right in the beginning. The longer you wait to buy, the longer they have to deteriorate.

The cranberry harvest is short. Usually late September through early November. Maybe even shorter in some areas. Depending on climate and how well they did any given year. Most agree to stock up just before Thanksgiving and freezing extra bags. Checking the bags at the grocery for firm and freshness.

When i used to buy the commercial bags, i would get a few odd softies. Some almost white. This past year in my organic veg box i ordered two bags twice. All four bags were perfect.

A BigAg producer will care less about quality than the $ at the end of the day.

Next year just look for that sweet spot. The first batch out to market may be rushed and a bit under ripe. Top dollar. Second batch closer to Thanksgiving are often on sale and perfect for the freezer. The x-mas batch should be fine if they were stored propery by the farmer or grocer. But will suffer if they get kissed by colder/freezing temps sitting on loading docks.

There's a few factors, at least so far as Wiscons production goes. Last years crop was sub-par and below weight totals. And a hail storm early in the harvest season caused some problems. Also by this time of year, fresh cranberry storage is hitting it's end- they only commercially store for around 2-4 months.

I find I have different experiences in different years. This year, I bought three different batches from three different labels during November and December and there wasn't a bad berry in the bags. Some years, I find 5% - 10% mushy or unripe berries.

From the description, I'm betting those berries were older than is optimal. I bought about 5-6 bags of organic berries at Trader Joe's back in November, and all have been perfect so far - I was surprised, actually, since I can usually count on some bad ones. I froze them immediately, BTW.

Did the bags you bought have a date stamped on them?

I never checked a date. I just used them right away. I did freeze some AFTER I sorted; not enough for a year of cranberry cravings.... . I wonder why you don't see them sold frozen more often, like you do other fruits.

This "spoiled berries thing" is not just this year: I see it EVERY year. Made me wonder if other people were just using them anyway, without sorting. Was I being too picky?

I bought 6 bags for Thanksgiving, even though dinner was going to be only 4 of us. I asked my husband to sort them. He was shocked at how many spoiled ones there were, enough to complain to the store. (I mostly wanted him to know that they can't just be thrown in the food processor and used straight away after washing). They gave him 2 free bags. Same % of spoilage.

I've never bought berries at Trader Joe's. I'll have to look.

The organic ones cost a little more but they really are better.

I bought ten pounds of cranberries in October to freeze. They have been very good and i hope will last me till next October. I figure they are all harvested at the same time, and that the earlier I buy them, the better they will be.