We bring baking potatoes, celery, carrots, and all sorts of frozen food. Never had a problem, or question asked. Leaving the island is a different matter and they ask if you have fruit.

Ya know...we have stores here, too...isn't our selection good enough for you?

Bringing fruit and vegetables is permitted but I think you should reconsider. My husband and I always pack a cooler just before our flight of frozen meat and shrimp. Maybe we top off the cooler with a favorite something or other as well. But, fruits and vegetables are readily available in STT and considering the baggage and weight limits in airlines, you would be better served to bring more.........uh..........SHOES! Bathing suits (one for every day?)! or, whatever.

Marty,
I was in STT & STJ last Dec. I love to munch on celery, cukes & carrots. We went to the Food Center & Marina market & couldn't find any celery or cukes that I would have put in my stomach! They were really disgusting, about par with the meat. The fruit was ok. I would probably pack these next time. If I do not have these items I reach for all those goodies like cookies & chips. 🙂

You couldn't pay me to eat the fruits, veggies and meat from the Food Center.
Marina Market is decent.

I've found that Cost-U-Less has excellent fruits, veggies and meats. The prices are reasonable and everything that should be crisp is crisp.

Beware of things packed in packages / plastic. Buy veggies that are loose - that you can touch and see all sides of it.

Shopping in general here is a time-consuming process and even a relatively simple list can entail going to several stores to fulfill! I agree with Blu that CULess usually has an excellent selection of good, fresh, fruits and veggies but you might also check out the local roadside vendors. A tomato from Dominica tastes MUCH better than it's shipped-in stateside cousin and those (admittedly ugly) down-island oranges are wonderful! And don't forget the mangoes which are in season right now. If you see something you're not familiar with, the vendors will be happy to tell you what they are and how to serve them and you may find yourself in for a fabulous taste treat. Cheers!

Blu:

Totally agree with you.......Cost-U-Less and Marina Market!

F.I.

Ya know, I never think about buying from the roadside stands. I will start to try that. STTRes, your reasoning makes perfect sense. There's an interesting fruit stand across from the National Park dock - just past the High School in Red Hook.

do you think there will be any food left on the shelves for us to buy tomorrow afternoon when we arrive or will it all be sold out due to the storm possibly heading that way ?

I think you need not worry. Even after the devastation of Marilyn in 1995 there was no shortage of food whatsoever...

Thank you STT Resident !

Looking forward to being there even if there is a storm possibly coming.

I have to agree with not bringing fruit and veg. While the selection of 'mainland' staples for veg might leave a little to be desired try the local fare. The fruit we had was great and in fact the apples were better than back here. Of course the fact we were eating them while sitting on STJ beaches might have something to do with the experience 🙂

You might want to try the Fruit Bowl in Wheatley Center. They usually carry a better, fresher selection of produce than most of the other stores. It's on the way to Red Hook.

When I'm on island I don't want to waste time going to three different stores looking for the fruit and veggies that I want, so we bring them with us.

I usually bring a few apples, oranges, bananas, potatoes, onions, and limes for mixed drinks.

But I am also careful not to go overweight with my luggage...I always weigh it on my scale at home before heading to the airport 🙂

Thanks everyone for the info. We find the same type of "not so fresh $6.00 a head of lettuce" on Aruba. I will bring my own as I love salads for lunch.

PS: Yes, I will find your fresh fruit to try and will enjoy it I am sure. 🙂