This is what happens when Socialism conditions your population to expect everything from the state. They either can't or won't fend for themselves. They expect the state to provide everything and will die if the state doesn't. Complete dependence on the all-powerful state to survive. Of course, some of them may want to grow their own food, but the state puts a stop to that with stifling regulations and taxes.
What they were left without being placed in jeopardy of violation of the law, was probably itty bitty gardens.