How historic California drought affects rest of nation, often for the worse

By Michael Martinez and Alexandra Meeks, CNN

Los Angeles (CNN)It's more than just one state's internal problem. The historic California drought hurts the rest of the union, too.

That's because California is a breadbasket to the nation, growing more than a third of its vegetables and nearly two-thirds of its fruits and nuts.

Here's why we should heed the ongoing drought in the most populous state, a slowly expanding natural disaster now in its fourth year that this week prompted Gov. Jerry Brown to announce a mandatory 25% cutback in water consumption in all cities.

It's already hit your pocketbook

In 2014, one expert predicted consumers would pay more for some groceries because of the California drought.

He was often right, according to statistics gathered by Timothy Richards, agribusiness professor at Arizona State University.

Prices rose last year for these items on your kitchen table.

Uncertainty ahead

Though fruits and vegetable prices fell in February, overall prices are expected to rise this year, because of inflation, U.S. Department of Agriculture economist Annemarie Kuhns said.

Whether the California drought will affect food prices again this year is unknown, thanks to a strong dollar.

What economists don't know yet is whether farmers will plant fewer crops because of the drought. Those decisions are now being made in the field and could boost supermarket prices, she said.

Part of a bigger disaster

The reality is there's a major drought throughout the West and Southwest.

While not as bad as California, Texas and Oklahoma are also seeing extreme and exceptional drought -- the two worst categories -- in several parts of their states, the U.S. Drought Monitor said this week.

More than just one state's internal problem. The historic California drought hurts the rest of the union, too.Part of a bigger disaster

The reality is there's a major drought throughout the West and Southwest.

While not as bad as California, Texas and Oklahoma are also seeing extreme and exceptional drought -- the two worst categories -- in several parts of their states, the U.S. Drought Monitor said this week.

'Waiter! Water, please!'

It's called the Golden State for the gold rush of yore, but let's face it: the rest of the nation flocks to California for vacation because of another golden reason.

Its year-round sunshine.

So the next time you take a holiday in California, you'll find a few changes around here, thanks to the drought.

Like asking for a glass of water at a restaurant.

You won't find water waiting for you on the table.

A silver lining

But what about those yummy California wines, you ask?

Guess what.

They're only getting better -- because of the drought.

Yes, you read that right.

The 2014 wine grape harvest was "third in a string of great vintages this decade," the Wine Institute says.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/03/us/california-drought/index.html