In those European countries you have a much denser population and the food producers are much closer to the consumer. Also, there a bi-weekly open markets all year round where you can buy anything foody from meats, wursts and vegetables. You don't need a car to go shopping, it is all close by. Here council and health regulations make open air markets impossible.
Also, the big three (and their landlords) prohibit any food market near their outlets, in cohoots with the councils.
There are a few "farmer's markets" on weekends, they charge like wounded bulls as the declare their produce "organic" which it may or may not be. It looks like last weeks garbage anyway.
