What to buy and where?

[MrReedatsea]

As I get closer to provisioning to sail southward to The Islands, I'm curious what food items you stock up on here in The States and what you know you can pick up on the way. What are the 'must buys' in your opinion? Canned goods? What type?

[a64pilot]

Buy anything you have a favorite of. There is soap and condiments of course, just maybe not the ones you like, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant even TP.
But I bet you were talking about food, right?

[MrReedatsea]

Not necessarily. Good food for thought. I like my Colgate Ultra White!

[Fintry]

The only thing we really missed on our circumnav -- and had guests bring to us -- was American peanut butter -- Jif or Skippy. The Brit, NZ, and Aussie brands are not the same. Note that in Brit speaking countries Tylenol/Acetaminophen are Panadol/Paracetamol. Take your prescription meds, of course, but also any OTC meds you really like.

As for the nice to haves -- that make life easier: Canned meats of all kinds. Canned tomatoes. Canned and bottled goods in general, because they'll be more expensive and they're heavy -- a nuisance to lug back to the boat.

[laika]

A tin of canned chicken in the bahamas is about $6, canned veggies also more expensive but not as drastically. Really good, cheap "commonwealth cheese" and, of course, good cheap rum.

Might also consider good quality dehydrated meals, such as Mountain House camping meals. Very easy to make underway and a good addition/alternative to canned goods. Some are actually quite good and less weight/space/trash. I have a stockpile of dry veggies that taste quite a bit better than canned and have a more vibrant color when rehydrated.

IME you can find fresh goods almost everywhere in the caribe if you seek it out, coupled with a nice stock of canned/dry goods for the lean times if you can't catch fish

[bgallinger]

Buy everything you think you might want in the states, then double it. Except for rum. Rum maybe the only thing comparably priced. The price of beer, canned goods, juice and anything else will take your breath away. Plastic jug of juice - $7, case of beer - $56

[rubbywilliams]

Get anything which help gives you something that you need in your way. May be some drinks, snacks etc.

[hogHunter]

Provisioning in the Bahamas is very expensive. They have an extra tax on everything for the past few years which makes high prices even higher.

We always provision as much as possible in Florida around Fort Lauderdale or Miami. There are a few Costco and Sams Clubs around the water which makes it pretty easy to provision on a budget. Get EVERYTHING.

Once you get to the islands there will be small stores sprinkled throughout the islands (larger stores available in Nassau). However, the stores usually have limited selection and are very expensive.

Once you're farther south you can stop in at Exuma Market in Georgetown, Exuma. It's expensive but no more than other stores in the Bahamas. They are right on the water by the anchorage so it's very, very convenient and they have a huge selection compared to many grocery stores in the Bahamas.