FRESNO, Calif. --
Many farmers are not able to find enough people to pick high value crops such as grapes, peppers, apples, and pears. In some cases, workers have walked off fields in the middle of a harvest -- lured by better pay or easier work elsewhere.
Experts say the shortage is driven by a struggling economy and more jobs available in Mexico. The shortage means labor expenses are climbing and harvests are being delayed. But the shortage is not expected to affect food prices for consumers.