It is common knowledge that California is in a major drought, and many are acutely aware that a predominance of the water is used for farming activities. While it is easy to blame farmers and try to place restrictions on their water usage, the fact is that California is the nation's largest supplier of food. Over a third of the country's vegetables and two thirds of the country's fruits and nuts are grown in California. The Golden State is also the largest producer of milk and second largest producer of cheese.

The fact that California has such mild weather, allows it to produce many foods year-round. But California isn't just exporting food, the state is, in effect, in the business of water export. If you buy an almond that was produced in California, it's really like you bought a gallon of water!  Yet California is in no position to export its scarce water resources. California's two largest reservoirs are at critically low levels; the lowest levels since record-keeping began in 1977.

While the ramifications of this might affect the state's farmers and income, it is short-sighted to think that it is only a California problem. As the largest supplier of food in the United States and the fifth largest supplier of food in the world, this is quickly becoming a global problem.

The price of food is already rising rapidly due to inflation. Taking out the largest producer would only put further strain on the cost and supply of food.

The export of food and, ultimately, the water needed to grow that food, requires more than just money. States need to reimburse California with water to replenish their aquifers and reservoirs. Perhaps there could be a system of surpluses and deficits which reflect the amount of food being imported and exported between states. Perhaps states that are water-rich could supply more water in exchange for discounts on food imported from California. Perhaps water would need to be treated first before crossing borders to reduce the risk of spreading organisms from different eco-systems.

We need to work smarter, together to share resources before California is not able to produce our food.