Consumers could see grocery prices skyrocket soon.
Every five to seven years lawmakers must negotiate, adjust, and sign a new Farm Bill. The current Farm Bill expired September 30th, and with legislators struggling to avoid a government shutdown, a new Farm Bill won't be passed anytime soon.
Striking fear and frustration into consumers like Matt Burg.
"I'm not really sure what would happen if prices went up, but it would probably make it harder on families with one income," he said.
Dairy products would be the first to see price hikes. Milk could go as high as eight dollars per gallon. Cheese and butter would also see a large increase in prices.
With a gridlock in Washington, some consumers like Earl Wear may be changing the products they buy.
"I will probably have to start drinking more water," said Wear.
But this isn't the first time that the Farm Bill has expired. In fact, the Farm Bill has not passed before the preceding one since 1977.
DeAnne Bloomberg is the Manager of the Rock Island County Farm Bureau, and she isn't worried just yet.
"October first is going to come and go and no one is going to see a major difference in how it's impacting their pocket book," she said.
Lawmakers will have until December 31st to pass a new bill before price hikes will hit the shelves.
The clock is ticking, and now lawmakers in Washington are on the clock.