Farm Bill won't affect vegetable prices

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Many items on the Congress' agenda will be on hold until after the general election in November, and that delay could take a toll on our wallets.

The farm bill expired on September 30th, which means all farm subsidies and the funds for food stamps have expired. But the biggest worry for both consumers and producers right now is what will happen to milk, vegetable and meat prices.

For some farmers who are still recovering from one of the worst droughts in history, the delay means no more subsidies.

Experts say vegetables prices will not be affected by the aftermath of the drought or the farm bill, but meat and dairy products' prices could increase because livestock producers benefit the most from the farm bill.

Bill McKinstry, the owner of McKinstry farm in Chicopee, told 22News his farm did well despite the drought, and the Farm Bill will not affect local vegetable farms as much as it will meat producers.

He said, “If the supply is low, then the price will be higher. We'll just have to wait and see. A lot of farmers don't have the food to feed the animals. So the prices could go higher.”

So while fresh produce will continue to be available at a reasonable price, milk and beef prices could skyrocket. And that has many people worried about their holiday plans.

Roger Farrington of West Springfield told 22News, “It'd be nice if the Congress can work on the average person rather than playing the games they do. Everybody's trying to plan on families being together and everything, and they are going to have a hard time. Everybody is struggling to make their ends meet.”

So far in 2012, we saw a 3.5% increase in grocery prices, but gas prices combined with the expiration of the Farm Bill could drive up the meat and milk prices even more.