In America we are not locally self sufficient. California is a large producer of fruit and vegetables for most of the year. We used to be focused on small towns that could be self sufficient now we just accept getting packaged garbage and the price we pay for it.

That's why we have people eating mcdonalds everyday.

Not sure where you got that price, a head of lettuce is less that a dollar here in the Midwest US

Produce is dirt cheap in the states. I picked up two heads of iceberg and a cabbage for $2 at the local farmer's market last Friday, and nabbed a six-avocados-for-a-dollar deal while I was there.

The only people spending $3 for a head of lettuce are people looking for a way to separate their food from everyone else.

Out of interest how much is a head of fresh lettuce in your country?

In the UK, they can go for as little as 0.49 ($0.60), but average closer to 0.8 ($1.00)

0.79€ ($0.88) @ REWE in Germany. And that's one of the more costly discounters. Lidl and Penny are cheaper, but just as good. Have a look: http://www.penny.de/angebote/aktuell/liste/Ab-Montag

In Minneapolis, heads of lettuce are 1.49. Romaine is maybe 1.79. Boston style lettuce is maybe 2.00.

3 for lettuce is ridiculous.

It is that much at least in Australia.