McDonald’s highlights produce in new sandwiches

Lettuce and tomatoes from California, sweet onions from Georgia, and avocados and limes from Mexico are part of the new Signature Crafted Recipe sandwich line at McDonald’s.

All 14,000-plus locations of the restaurant will be serving the new line, which will be a permanent menu item, said spokeswoman Tiffany Briggs.

McDonald’s gets its lettuce from California’s Salinas Valley in the summer and from Yuma, Ariz., during the winter. The company has coordinated with suppliers to ensure it will have enough product given the recent supply gaps for lettuce due to winter rains in California and an early finish in Arizona.

“We have four produce suppliers and work closely with them on our menu,” Briggs said. “Due to our size and scale, we have worked diligently with them to deliver for our customers to support the national launch of Signature Crafted Recipes.”

The three recipes for the sandwiches are Pico Guacamole, Maple Bacon Dijon and Sweet BBQ Bacon, and with each one customers can choose between beef, crispy chicken or grilled chicken and can select either a toasted artisan roll or a sesame seed bun.

This will be the first time McDonald’s has offered guacamole — made with hass avocados from Michoacan, Mexico, and used in the Pico Guacamole sandwich — on a national scale, Briggs said.

The pico de gallo used on the sandwich is made with roma tomatoes from California, and the lime wedges served with it are from Mexico.

The sweet onions that are grilled and included in the Maple Bacon Dijon and Sweet BBQ Bacon sandwiches come from Georgia.

McDonald’s locations receive produce 2-3 times per week, Briggs said.

The sandwiches will cost $4.99-$5.19 on average, and the recipes may be adjusted over time based on what customers are seeking.

“We will continue to cater to our customers’ local tastes and preferences and will look for ways to evolve the recipes down the line with other seasonal and fresh toppings and ingredients,” Briggs said.