Counting Food Miles for the "Rich" Only?

I recently read two articles that made me reconsider counting food miles. That is purchasing only food grown locally or within 250 miles of your home.

The first described this practice as yet another way to make middle class moms feel bad about the decisions they make to feed their families. We already have to count calories, carbs, nutritional value, sugars, etc. Now we have to be concerned with how many miles our dinner table food travelled.

The second article was similar stating that only the "rich" or upper middle classes could afford the luxury of locally grown in season foods. I whole heartedly agree. First, I do not have the time to browse farmers markets and drive 20 miles out of my way for the nearest trader joe's or almost 60 miles for a whole foods. (Doesn't all that driving cancel out any good I'm doing by purchasing local foods?). Second, I have a full time job and a young family with busy schedules and can't shop every day for fresh produce, I need to buy foods I can put in the freezer until I can eat them. And no, I cannot can, or cook a weeks worth of meals on sunday -- as much as I want to, or have tried.

I have stopped buying out of season produce to do my part. As all moms, I try to balance frozen food with fresh local items when possible. But the last thing I need is to be made to feel like a second class citizen because I cannot jaunt down to the farmers market and spend the morning buying local carrots that cost twice as much as the supermarket.

Anyone agree? Any ideas for combining real life with local foods?