Jennifer Halsey from Medford is a mom of four growing kids.
Their ages she says “2, 4, 10 and 11.”
With four kids she goes through a lot of milk.
“I would say about 5 gallons in a regular week, ya, my boys like milk,” Halsey says.
If the price goes up, she’s not sure how she will afford it.
She says “I won’t be able to do it, I am the only one working, at that much I wouldn’t be able to afford it.”
The dairy subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year.
If congress doesn’t come to an agreement industry experts warn milk prices will soar, the amount is unclear but it means many food prices could go up.
The bill is vast and complex.
But for farmers it acts as their main safety net against losses from things like drought and natural disasters.
Agricultural Economist Jeffrey O’Hara say the subsidies help consumers by stabilizing what’s at the market.
He says “prices are going to move but it insures that prices are at a reasonably low level and are affordable for consumers.”
But conservative tax groups disagree.
Joshua Sewell of Taxpayers for Common Sense says “it is a gold plated program where tax payers end up covering almost 2/3 of the cost for farmers who want to buy insurance.”
President Obama weighs in saying What are we waiting for Lets get this done.
Mother Jennifer Halsey hopes they do just that.
She says “to skyrocket the price of milk, I just really don’t understand it. That’s not our fault, they need to figure it out.”
Leaders in the house and senate are expected to have their first serious negotiations about the farm bill on Wednesday.
They will also be debating cuts to the food stamp program, a serious pinch also for those trying to feed families.
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