The Complete Guide to Grocery Shopping in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Grocery Shopping in St. Thomas: Everything You Need to Know

The beautiful island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands offers residents and visitors a unique grocery shopping experience. With a mix of large chain grocery stores and local markets, there are plenty of options for picking up all your essential food items. Here's a comprehensive guide to grocery shopping in St. Thomas.

Major Grocery Stores in St. Thomas

For a traditional grocery store experience, there are two major chains on St. Thomas:

• Pueblo Supermarkets - With three locations across the island, Pueblo offers the widest selection of mainstream grocery items. You'll find all your major brands here, along with some local products.
• Plaza Extra - This Puerto Rican chain has two locations on St. Thomas. The stores are smaller than Pueblo but offer competitive pricing.

Both Pueblo and Plaza Extra offer typical grocery sections like produce, meat and seafood, dairy, frozen foods, bakery items, and shelf-stable goods. You'll also find some locally made food products, Caribbean produce, and international foods that cater to the diverse population of St. Thomas.

Everyday Discount Stores

In addition to the major supermarkets, St. Thomas has several discount grocery stores that offer everyday low prices:

• Cost-U-Less - This warehouse-style store sells groceries and household items in bulk. You can find discounted prices on brands like Kirkland along with local products.
• Cash & Carry - Another bulk store with two locations on St. Thomas. Cash & Carry has a wide selection of groceries, household supplies, and liquors.
• Bargain Food Mart - A small local discount grocery chain with multiple locations. Great for picking up grocery basics on a budget.

These bargain stores are great options for stocking up on shelf-stable pantry items, paper products, beverages, frozen foods, and more. Keep in mind that the fresh departments like produce, meat, and bakery tend to be small with limited selection compared to major supermarkets.

Local Fruit and Vegetable Markets

In addition to grocery stores, St. Thomas has a number of local fruit and vegetable markets. Here are some top picks:

• Marina Market - This large open-air market in Red Hook features fresh tropical produce from local farmers. You'll find fruits and veggies you won't see in regular grocery stores.
• B&B Mini Mart - A fruit stand in Frenchtown stocked with fresh, locally grown produce and tropical fruits.
• La Reine Farmers Market - Open Fridays and Saturdays, this market hosts local farmers selling homegrown fruits, vegetables, and artisanal food products.

Visiting these markets is a great way to taste all the fresh, exotic produce St. Thomas has to offer. Expect to find items like soursop, papaya, guava, passionfruit, eggplant, coconuts, bananas, and much more.

Meat and Fish Markets

Since St. Thomas is an island, you can find the freshest seafood and meat specialty markets here. Some top options include:

• Frenchtown Fish Market - Locally caught fish and seafood available daily. You'll find favorites like mahi mahi, wahoo, snapper, tuna, lobster, and shrimp.
• Food Center Meat Market - Full-service butcher offering specialty cuts of meat, poultry, sausage, and more. Great quality at reasonable prices.
• Cost-U-Less Meat Market - For discounted bulk pricing on frozen and fresh meat, the Cost-U-Less meat department can't be beat.

Shopping for meat and seafood at these specialty stores ensures you'll get superior freshness and lots of local varieties you won't find at regular markets.

International and Specialty Food Stores

To complete your multicultural grocery experience in St. Thomas, check out some of these international and specialty food stores:

• India Bazaar - Shop for spices, basmati rice, chutneys, chapati, and other Indian grocery essentials.
• Asian Food Market - Find all your favorites like fresh noodles, soy sauce, sesame oil, dry goods, and produce used in Asian cooking.
• La Superica - This Latin grocery store offers ingredients for cuisine from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico and more.
• St. Thomas Olive Oil Factory - Locally made olive oils, balsamic vinegars, tapenades, and other gourmet specialty foods.

From East Indian to Hispanic to Mediterranean foods, these specialty stores allow you to easily access global ingredients to recreate flavors from around the world using fresh, authentic products.

Tips for Smart Grocery Shopping in St. Thomas

Once you know where to shop, use these tips for getting the most of out your grocery experience in St. Thomas:

• Bring reusuable shopping bags - Save money and avoid plastic bag waste.
• Shop seasonally - Buy local produce at its peak freshness and flavor.
• Stock up on specialty items at international markets - Take advantage of hard-to-find global ingredients.
• Mix up where you shop - Combine visits to farmers markets, specialty stores, and supermarkets.
• Look for local products - Sample locally made food and beverages.
• Price compare - Know which stores offer the best deals on everyday staples.
• Use warehouse stores for bulk purchases -Buy shelf-stable items in larger quantities to save.

Grocery shopping in St. Thomas reflects the vibrant blend of cultures and flavors from around the world. By exploring all the options and shopping smart, you can enjoy an exciting culinary experience and easily find all the fresh ingredients you need.

FAQs

Where can I find the best deals on groceries in St. Thomas?

The bargain stores like Cost-U-Less, Cash & Carry, and Bargain Food Mart offer the best everyday low prices on groceries in St. Thomas. They specialize in discounted bulk and warehouse-style shopping.

What is the best place to buy fresh seafood in St. Thomas?

For the freshest local catch, shop at the Frenchtown Fish Market in Frenchtown. You'll find a great selection of freshly caught fish like mahi mahi, wahoo, snapper, and more.

Where can I find exotic tropical fruits and vegetables in St. Thomas?

Visit the local fruit and vegetable markets like Marina Market, B&B Mini Mart, and La Reine Farmers Market. These markets source tropical produce directly from local farmers across the island.

What grocery stores offer international and specialty ingredients?

Check out India Bazaar for Indian ingredients, Asian Food Market for Asian cooking essentials, La Superica for Hispanic foods, and St. Thomas Olive Oil Factory for gourmet specialty items.

How can I reduce plastic waste from grocery shopping?

Bring reusable shopping bags when grocery shopping rather than using plastic bags. Many stores in St. Thomas also sell reusable produce bags to cut down on plastic.