US Representative Greg Steube of Florida recently introduced the Keep Food Local & Affordable Act to combat the recent rise in food prices due to historic labor shortages and inflation. This legislation would implement a temporary stay on the H-2A adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) for states struggling to find domestic workers.
The H-2A program allows temporary foreign workers in the U.S.; most Florida citrus is harvested by H-2A workers.
“Inflation has risen rapidly over the past year, increasing food and labor costs for Americans and farmers,” Steube said. “The temporary stay placed on the H-2A AEWR will help address the rising input costs crippling our farmers and consumers.”
Source: citrusindustry.net
