Dear West Coast of the USA (Re Tsunami debris)

[Retrograde]

13. They're most likely your leafy vegetables, too

Most of the lettuce - and broccoli, and brussels sprouts, and other vegetables and fruits - consumed in the US are grown near the California coast. Botanically speaking, California is an island, being cut off by the ocean, mountains and deserts, and we're very concerned about the potential damage new varieties of animals, especially insects, can do to our biggest industry.

Any California who was around for Loma Prieta or Northridge has an inkling of what Japan went through, which was far worse than we experienced. We had a small reminder shortly after, when the tsunami itself caused some damage in Santa Cruz and Crescent City, an ocean away. We know we're connected.

We can still worry, though, and do what we can about keeping our - and your - food supply going.