I also try to keep it in perspective. Before moving to the midwest, we weren’t able to get access to as much locally. The deep south has an early growing season, but the intense heat and drought made it difficult for small farmers to have big yields for the market — meaning things were either much more expensive (double what I pay now in Indiana) or in low-supply (I never could get there right at 8am when they opened). Also, there were only a couple of farms raising good livestock, so the prices were still very high, with few options for bulk buying.

I think of families living in places where the options are even fewer than that, and it seems like it would be very hard eating local. Growing the backyard garden would be one of the only options. So you’re right — just growing a garden is effort worth cheering.