I asked my mom if/where they got yeast in the 50s and 60s, and she said that once a week, a lady would arrive on horse/donkey and trade everyone for their eggs.

They probably had a train connection link somewhere that went to/from a big city and that’s how it all worked.

They had milk and pork, but generally sold/traded that for everything else they needed: oil, salt, sugar, etc. And of course some monetary savings for their escape!