As California grapples with water shortage, olive oil producers see an ‘up year’

Back in May, in an eye-opening story, The New York Times offered a reality check regarding the West Coast’s severe water shortage. In “Your Contribution to the California Drought,” reporters Larry Buchanan, Josh Keller, and Haeyoun Park laid down the facts: it takes just over 15 gallons of water to produce 16 almonds; more than 15 gallons for a mere 2 ounces of rice; a whopping 24 gallons for a single bunch of grapes; 9 gallons for a small bowl of processed tomatoes; and 1.4 gallons for just two olives.