Travelling with Food Questions

[lhbrown]

Hi bonniejoy,
We too used to drag a lot of food down to Virgin Gorda when we rented there. I brought all fresh food (meats and chicken included) and then put in in the freezer when I got there. Since were were usually travelling in the winter, the cargo hold of the plane would keep the foold cold and most food can stand not to be refrigerated for short periods of time. I used to pack a Xerox carton full of food and checked the box as part of our luggage. I had the deli dept. of our supermarket slice my coldcuts and put extra paper between the slices to keep them from sticking together, then I packed all my cold cuts into a tupperware container which went right into the fridge when I got to our destination. Also, I used to buy mesclin salad greens that came packed in large plastic boxes rather than bags which kept them from being squased. At one point I stuck a carton of eggs into my Xerox box and it made it there without a single one being broken. I am sure now there is better food available in Virgin Gorda than there was 15 or 20 years ago, but I imagine the prices must still be very high since everything has to be imported there, so bringing food is probably still a good idea. The Xerox cardbord box packed with fresh food always worked well for us.

[lhbrown]

Hi bonniejoy,
You stated "Our concern is that we typically have to stay overnight at an airport hotel with our frozen food. "
We got stuck once with our Xerox box filled with fresh food in San Juan. When we got to the hotel where we wound up overnighting, we asked the hotel restaurant to put our Xerox box into their food cooler/walk in freezer which they were happy to do, and we still arrived at our destination of Virgin Gorda the next day with all our food in excellent shape. By bringing fresh meats, you don't run the risk of the meat defrosting and having to refreeze it.

[imbues]

Isn't it illegal to bring fresh food into most other countries? Wouldn't you get a big fine if you were caught?

[lhbrown]

Hi imbue,
Not that I know of.... When we traveled to Virgin Gorda some 15 years ago, there was only a limit on the dollar amount you could bring... We never had any problems of bringing food in, customs in Beef Island only asked us how much we had in dollars. Things could have changed, but I am not aware of it being illegal.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi LHBrown. Sounds like you do the same as we do! The stores have improved a little in Virgin Gorda however, the selection is very limited. Plus, there are only about 3 small stores. They also serve the community and the restaurants. With that said, food does go quickly. When we first arrived a few weeks ago, the biggest store, Bucks, had no milk and said they wouldn't have any for a few more days. We do try to be prepared and hope the plane doesn't get stuck somewhere! That is great that you were able to store your food. Our friends coming to Anguilla were stuck in St. Maarten last November and the new Westin also assisted them with their food.

[lhbrown]

Hi bonniejoy,
In addition to bringing food, we also used to stock up at Cash and Carry on Virgin Gorda. They had great prices on liquor, but you had to buy everything in 3ies. Does Cash and Carry still exist?

[bonniejoy03]

Hi LHBrown. Yes, it is now called Roadtown Wholesale. For the past two years we didn't buy from them. We never understood the concept and last year we were turned away?? This year, I checked their website. They will also provision your villa! This year, we shopped there and LOVED IT! The beer was the best price on the island along with the water. They have a great selection of food even fresh food such as lettuce. Yes, it is interesting that you have to buy in threes!!! Some products can be single purchases.