Given the bartering that seems to be going on, it sounds like the author has good connections with their neighbours, certainly enough to be aware of anyone actually starving - and I don't doubt they'd highlight specific cases in the article if they knew of any.
A reasonable assumption is still an assumption, but it may be that there are additional support networks (formal or otherwise) to help those most at risk.
Yeah it seems they have some contact with their neighbours who would likely have similar means as them. They are not the vulnerable population we're talking about though.
But I am glad you agree it is the more reasonable assumption and therefore more likely to be reality than the alternative (that everyone's being taken care of and it's all fine).
A reasonable assumption is still an assumption, but it may be that there are additional support networks (formal or otherwise) to help those most at risk.