Originally posted by jrc:

First there was the hp system (which I didn't care for), Now there's the stamina system, which ties into the new food and crops system. IMO, it has had the effect of reducing the ability/desire to explore. Essentially, to get the crops you will need for you and your buds, you're going to have to put in a lot of time staying in one place.

pant them in your "hub" base (the one you're returning from time to time). they'll grow without your concern. then just gather, replant few as seeds and put in the chest (1min max. less if you use stagbreaker to harvest).
when you'll have time get ingredients from a chest and cook.

also... food like sausages(55hp, get lots of it and require basic ingredients: entrails, raw meat and thistle) or fish(45hp) & cooked serpent(70hp) (it's inverior to serpent stew & fish wraps, but you don't need a cauldron) doesn't require to have a farm. almost 0 time investment (there are even ways to build an afk fishing farm)