The (high) cost of food in the Bahamas

[AA3JY]

For those that have visited the Bahamas and experienced the cost of purchasing while there..I’ve wondered how the locals can afford the relatively high costs as compared to being in the US..

https://ewnews.com/hard-decisions-so...hen-vat-was-12

[tamicatana]

They don’t pay their utility bills, at least from what my friend tells me.

But I don’t find the prices significantly higher than in south Floriduh, at least not for basic items

[Hudson Force]

When we were grocery shopping in the Bahamas we found it less expensive to drop our attachment to the brand name products that were commonly less expensive in the US. Local products and those imported from other locations were often less expensive than those imported from the US.

It's also very important to find out when the produce is supplied to the local grocery market. If the island freighter delivers fresh produce on Tuesdays, then shopping Thursday through Monday can be less rewarding.

[chris mac]

Many locals (on the out islands) buy from Nassau and have it delivered on the food boat. They supplement from the grocery store if needed in between.
Plus they are surrounded by free fish, conch and lobster! Also free range chicken and goats on many of the islands.
Like everywhere, the have adapted to what is the easiest/ most effective for their environment.

[ItDepends]

One of the first rules of budget conscious cruising is losing your attachment to your home foods and brands (no matter what home you be from!) and go with what the locals eat.

The Bahamas are not a very expensive place to eat, if you shop carefully.

One of the challenges in the Bahamas compared to many of the Caribbean islands is that they have almost no indigenous agricultural anymore, so you have to plan you grocery visits around the time of the supply boat if you want fresh veg.

As somebody has already mentioned, on the remote out islands with smaller populations, the locals all order their food in. What stores there are are small and poorly stocked. You learn to stock up in the population centers, and do the best you can in the remote spots.

Learn whats local. Just the other day, my partner was in the supermarket here in Grenada, and voiced her (mild) frustration that there wasn't any ginger root on the shelves...again! A woman turned to her and said, "Honey, it's been raining for 3 days! Who wants to go out in those muddy fields and dig them roots?"