So you have just landed on St. Croix, you’re tired from all the long flights and you’re hungry. You don’t know many places to eat, or you are into healthy organic food. You just want fresh fruits, veggies, or you’re a person who just likes to cook your own favorite meals while on vacation. There are several grocery store options you can go to. If you’re on the West End of the Island Frederiksted, these are the two main grocery stores The Market and Stop and Shop.
These grocery stores are the go-to destinations for fresh produce. The Market grocery store is conveniently located close to the airport, approximately 2 miles away on Queen Mary Highway, also known as Main Road. If you’re traveling in a rental car, simply use Google Maps, and it will guide you straight to the Market.
For those staying at a hotel or B&B in Frederiksted, there’s another option – Stop and Shop – which is located 5 miles to the west on Queen Mary Highway. This stop provides an excellent opportunity to stock up on supplies.
Moreover, Kmart West, also known as Supermarket, boasts a spacious aisle filled with a diverse array of dry goods, snacks, and beverages. Shopping at these grocery stores offers a relaxed and pleasant experience. Take your time to compare prices and explore the wide selection of top-notch brands and gourmet food seasonings. Just keep in mind that KMart West is scheduled to close, so be sure to check their website before making the trip out there.
At Stop and Shop, you’ll find a great assortment of fresh produce, plentiful shopping carts, and efficient cashiers to ensure a quick checkout process. Notably, they even assist with bagging your groceries and taking them to your car. On the other hand, The Market in Frederiksted offers an even broader selection of items, solidifying its reputation as the primary grocery store in the area.
There are some things to think about while you’re shopping for groceries, knowing the difference between grocery stores and convenience stores could save you a lot of money. If price matters, you will pay a lot more in a convenience store especially if it is attached to a gas station. Larger grocery stores and Supermarkets have more affordable prices and more options for organic food.
Here are a few tips to remember while shopping at the grocery stores:
- Check the labels for expired items.
- Look for sale prices.
- Store brand items can be a better buy.
- The lower prices are not always better, check for good nutrition.
- Look for damaged items or bent cans.
- Check for frozen, defrosted, and refrozen items.
- Buy staple products that you know will taste good.
The best items to buy while on vacation:
Water. Buy plenty of water. Stay hydrated. The weather is hot, and you must have plenty of water to drink. Do not leave bottled water in the car, because the car will get hot from the sun and the bottles are plastic which can release a chemical that can cause the water to get toxic.
Crackers or Bread. Why? Because for some people who are new to the island, driving on the road can sometimes get you a bit nauseated or dizzy. St Croix’s roads are bumpy and hilly, sharp turns and the air can be a bit salty. Non-sodium crackers or bread are good to keep your stomach settled. Or there is an aisle with pharmaceutical items that are good for nausea.
Berries. These are good snacks to have while walking or driving. Berries are loaded with antioxidants. It is advisable to shop for your berries at the larger grocery stores because they have a larger selection. Berries are known to help fight inflammation.
Some Cruzian berry favorites are:
- Gooseberries are only seasonal between June to early August.
- Guava Berries are only seasonal from October to late December
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
Skittles Candy is the best candy you should buy while on vacation. Why? It’s an energy booster by the bit size, a quick quince, and off you go enjoying a sunny day. Skittles are also made with Titanium dioxide and which is good for sunburn and sun damage, its commonly used in lotion or skin protectors. But the main reason for eating Skittles is the taste and getting a little bit of Skittles energy. Note, please don’t overly eat Skittles as a form of sunblock, that is not their intended purpose.
Kids juice box is always a good choice. Just because it’s for kids, does not mean it is not also for adults. Some juice boxes come with a punch of vitamins in these little boxes, it is a good way to keep your body healthy while on vacation.
Although we just covered a couple of stores in the “West” of St Croix, there are still plenty of great options in both the East and mid-island. Here is a list of all grocery and convenience stores on St. Croix. Click Here