<p>Although federal employees are back to work, the government shutdown may still have damaging consequences for Florida’s citrus harvest, which could also raise food prices for consumers.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Because the H-2A visa process has been delayed, growers throughout Florida, who produce more than 60% of the nation’s citrus, may be unable to harvest fruit and vegetables in the winter, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Florida’s citrus industry, spread across 550,000 acres, has an estimated economic impact of $9 billion annually, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “We could be facing a real disaster,” said Mike Carlton, director of labor relations for the Maitland-based Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, which represents most of the state’s fruit and vegetable growers. “Anytime we have a backup like this, we have big concerns.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, D-Florida, was among a handful of lawmakers who asked the Labor Department, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, and the State Department to speed up the processing of agricultural visas so that crops don’t rot in fields and groves.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “We have heard from growers in multiple agricultural industries from across the country who fear that the shutdown of the H-2A visa process will prevent them from getting the workers they need in this crucial harvest season,” the letter stated. The lawmakers argued that a reduction in harvests could lead to higher prices.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Carlton claims at least 25 Florida petitions seeking visas for about 3,000 temporary workers are stalled in Chicago.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more continuing coverage on the impact of the government shutdown.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-shutdown-higher-food-prices-20131018,0,5783248.story" target="_new"> Orlando Sentinel </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
