If I had room, remember baggage may cost, I would bring breakfast cereal and any other lighweight snacks that 8 year old can't do without. These kinds of processed foods are extremely expensive here. However, if they are charging $25 a piece of luggage, forget it. You can buy on-island cheaper.

Hi there!! We are a family of 6 also and I have always packed extra goodies in our suitcases. You might pack a 'food' carry-on. The StarFish Grocery is probably one of the best - HINT: Tuesdays are produce day! I always try and think of the things that my family snacks on the most and out of those, what seems to be the most expensive because you can bet it will be higher in the islands.
I also do a lot of cooking - I get up most mornings and make a hugh salad - green, fruit, vegie or pasta salad and make sure I have enough chips & stuff to make sandwiches. That sets them for the day.
i always like to bring my own spices in labeled zip locks - I even will measure out flour, sugar, etc. to make brownies when I get there. Take those packages cookies mixes for a special night. The kids always pack their special items in their own suitcases. My son packs packages of gatorade, p'nut butter crakers & micro-wave popcorn.
There is a super little place on the corner across from the Post Office to get a really large, economical meal. Matter of fact, we usually half one plate. Its called Joes Bar-b-q. You'll smell it if you walk thru town. I believe its like $8 or $9 dollars for a large piece of bar-b-q chicken and two sides. In Mongoose Junction, there is a really nice deli - Deli Grotto - they also make fresh bread. Its a nice area to grab a drink and walk around the shops. Hope that helps a bit! If you would like to talk more - I'm at [email protected] We'll be going down mid June for 2 weeks!

Remember that your villa is certain to have a grill. Food is expensive down here, but some things are close to the same as stateside, like chicken. Cooking in your villa will always be cheaper that eating out at restaurants, just like in the States. I find that you learn how to cook in a more economical manor down here. Don't throw half of the food in the garbage, and you have saved yourself 50%. Taper off on buying food at the grocery a few days before you leave, or you will have a Villa full of food that you can't eat. Concentrated OJ is close to the same price as the States. Fresh OJ is ridiculous. I bring light stuff down with me that will fit in my luggage, stuff like spices, guacamole mix, etc, that you can't find down here easily. Overall, if your careful, you don't have to spend a fortune on food.

We will stay 3 months this fall. Right now we are planning to take our golden retriever. How much is dog food on ST?

Good suggestions from all. We find the most expensive things seem to be the processed foods - chicken nuggets, juice boxes, cereal, snack foods, etc. If you can't live without then bring it. Cheerios are $7 a box, but raw chicken is about the same price as it is here in DC.

Cheers, RickG