Cranberry craze gets Pinelands growers extra dough

It's been tough for shoppers to find fresh cranberries this holiday season.

That's bad news for cooks - and eaters - but good news for New Jersey growers.

The state is ranked third in cranberry production. The top two states - Massachusetts and Wisconsin - have not been able to match last year's record production. And with growing year-round popularity for the fruit, that's creating a shortage.

The farmers who harvest the berries in southern New Jersey's Pinelands are being paid a premium for their crop.

Most of the New Jersey crop is processed rather than sold fresh to consumers.