Re: Grow it yourself
 

Here in the UK, a bit like yourselves, we're unable to get out and buy plants or seeds and online they've virtually all sold out or cost £10 per seed as people cash in on the shortage. However just in case, like me, you haven't heard of this before, I came across a brilliant idea for growing directly from the veg you're eating now. And so far it's working...

For tomatoes: take a slice across the tomato and put this in it's entirety into some compost and cover loosely. Water and wait about 10 days. New tomato seedlings growing from the slice. The tomato slice adds moisture to the seeds and as it rots down also helps add goodness. I may never have to buy tomatoes/seeds again!

Basil: take a small cutting and place in water until roots grow (about 10 days also), then plant into compost. Never-ending basil. Always a good thing.

Leeks/Salad Onions: After chopping keep the base and place in water. This then sprouts new tops and can be used again.

Peppers: Cut in half longways. Rub the seeds a bit and then put compost inside the pepper. Water. After a couple of weeks new seedlings emerge a bit like the tomato.

Mushrooms: Take unused mushroom stalks or gone over mushrooms and whizz up in a blender. Poor this directly onto damp soil or compost in a darkish place and in shade and watch the mushrooms come up during the next few weeks

I'm sure all of this is nothing new, but I'm amazed that it's working so well. Might be an option if you're also stuck?

Re: Grow it yourself
 

The trouble with your plan is that the varieties that farmers grow are usually not the ones you want in your garden. Their main concern is the durability of the product. Two of my favourite tomatoes are Sungold and Pera d'Abruzzo and I have never seen them for sale in a supermarket.
There doesnt seem to be any seed shortage in Italy and they are very cheap here.

Re: Grow it yourself
 

I think the trouble is that only the basil works to any extent, and then limited....