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We will be leaving for St. John on Friday and I have been advised by friends to take food along, both staples and frozen foods in a cooler. Does anyone have an opinion about this? Will it be seized at customs, or subject to search?
You should not have any problems at all. Traveling from the US, you don't have to pass through customs entering the USVI, only when you come home. You will however be subject to search by the airlines because of the new security measures at the airports but lots of people bring food with no problem.
That said, I would never bother unless there were a product that I couldn't live without for a medical reason, like food allergies. To each his own. If you don't mind hauling a cooler and would prefer that to a trip to the grocery store, go for it!
My Wife, two kids and I have traveled to St.John 6 times in the past 3 years, usually stay in a condo (in fact we are going back this April). We have never found a need to pack foods of any kind...we have no allergies requiring special diets. If you are asking if foodstuffs are available the answer is yes they are available and are in sufficient quantities and varieties. There are 2 food stores that I know of within 2 minutes drive of the ferry dock in Cruz Bay.
Almost all food is imported to the islands so prices tend to be 25% higher then what we pay in the Northeastern US. To me, the difference in price does not justify packing a cooler lugging it to the airport, etc. My opinion is to take your cooler with you (empty ) so you have something to pack your drinks and snacks into for to the beach.
