[thatfrenchguy]

"It sounds more like a cultural issue, or perhaps such staples are not easily found in most of the USA and/or are marketed as "health foods" and suffer a corresponding price increase? "

When I moved to the US, I was appealed by the price of vegetables. Carrots, beets, cabbage are all so expensive compared to Western/Eastern europe.

[nicholas73]

How did it compare in terms of average income?

Carrots and cabbages are about the cheapest vegetables in the store. It doesn't even make a scratch in the bankroll.

Bell peppers, now that's another story.