I also think food writers tend to shop differently than many readers. They often live in cities with easily accessible farmer's markets and specialty stores, and they may have flexible schedules that allow them to shop during the daytime.

I've talked to food pros who find it baffling when I tell them that I need to shop in the evening after work, and that the nearest farmer's market is 40 miles away.

A very good observation. Even when I lived in the Poconos, ,my parents and I would have to travel to west Jersey to get good fresh produce, and small dingy supermarkets were the norm. Specialty ingredients were difficult to get without a lengthy trip.

Stangely, now I live in Baltimore, and find that the store down the street is constantly out of the processed goods that go on sale. I'm thinking the yuppies really are only skin deep in their eating habits.