Here in Appalachia, we know how to make good food at home — when we can. What comes out of our gardens and woods is better than much of what is prepared at a five-star restaurant. But the trouble is these days, not everyone has a garden or the luxury of time to head into the woods, let alone time to prepare such meals.

And affordable, accessible, fresh and healthy food is not always an option either, in a region riddled with food deserts. So families turn to what is available, and do their best to afford it.

In fact, a recent WalletHub survey that looked at the cost of fast food as a share of median monthly household income found West Virginian’s pay the fifth-most in the country, at 0.44%. Ohio isn’t as far behind as one might think, given the higher median income there. Buckeye State residents spend 16th-most on fast food, at 0.38%.

“With fast food prices rising by an average of 60% over the past decade, it’s fair for consumers to wonder whether the convenience of having food in minutes is really even worth it anymore,” wrote WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “Where you live can have a big impact on how much you shell out for fast food, too; it costs around 1.8 times more in the most expensive states than the cheapest states, relative to the median income.”

And yet, Mississippi, the state with the greatest cost per household at 0.48%, is among the poorest in the country AND has among the lowest fast food prices. Meanwhile, food deserts affect approximately 77% of Mississippi’s counties.

Researchers such as those at WalletHub propose plans like: use coupons, budget wisely, don’t get delivery, eat out less often, join rewards programs and “don’t go crazy with your orders” (meaning don’t add toppings or upsize).

It is sound advice, but fails to incorporate the reality for those who can’t afford the gas money to drive an hour and a half to the nearest grocery store (where prices are also constantly rising), but CAN swing through a fast food drive-thru on their way home to try to feed their entire family. Many of them would love to do so less often, or be able to think of making fast food and gas station meals less a part of their budget.

Yes, there is personal accountability involved in this one — to a degree. There is also a need to focus on the problem of food deserts in our region, while improving health and dietary education. We tell those living in Appalachia to move more and eat better, then give them very little support in making it happen.

Policy makers and politicians who say they want better for our families should take a look at what makes fast food so appealing. It is convenient, (relatively) affordable, accessible and temporarily fills a need.

What supports can be put in place in Charleston and Columbus to turn the tables so that families can say the same for fresh, healthy food that fills that need for good?