Printable View
Can we make a list of places to grocery shop in Negril please and just write a rough location for the place near to it.Also if you know a particular person goes to a certan place at a certain time and day selling certain items do list that too.My family eat a lot and I need a lot of food in stock for the week I have a kitchen!Thanks-getting a bit worried about if to buy daily or in bulk as a lot of places do not have a freezer so I do not want things to spoil or go off.
Exactly how many of you are going to be in a room that you need that much food for a week?
If you have room in ur suitcase and are wanting American food much cheaper to bring it. Some ideas are the just add water pancake mixes, Just add water instant potatoes, if you need stuff like mac and cheese..(keep in mind that is NOT a common product there adn who knows how long it will have been on the shelf so better to bring ur own), peanut butter, snacks like peanuts, cheese and crackers, granola bars.
Places to shop that are full sized markets that I know of are the Value Master at the Roundabout and the HiLo just past the roundabout a short ways on the cliff end. Not sure what the china man sells for food..I only bought cigs there. Of course a bunch of small stores up and down the roads.
Quality Traders, the new grocery store between the Post Office and Kings/Sunshine Plaza. Lots of items, a wider variety of produce, a broad range of items plus household goods, also liquor and office supplies. Its very nice in there. Building is bright green, can't miss it. Some of their prices are cheaper than HiLo.
You can also get 'just about anything' at the China store. The one across from Easy Rock usually has eggs and some produce, plus you can get chicken, saltfish, salt mackerel, etc.
There are fruit/vegetable stands up the first road on your right on Sheffield Road, just past the roundabout. Prices & quality are quite good. I buy there over grocery stores for specific fresh items. There's also a farmers' market at the park/craft market area the 4th Wednesday of the month.
it's cheaper to go out to local establishments for food than to shop and cook american style in jamaica . . . just my two cents worth . . . and, cinni is right, about the time american products stay on shelves . . . i read expiry dates in ja stores . . .
Tictoc is not American, she is coming from the UK
that being said -
Tic just go with the dang flow. there's loads of stores and shops in addition to the 'main' grocery stores (HiLo and Valuemaster downtown). All the smaller shops prices are a little more than those two, but paying for a taxi to take you to any specific one will negate any savings you might calculate - AND wasting time you could be spending on having FUN.
Whatever store is closest to where you wind up staying, is the 'best' one, because it will be the easiest and fastest for you to get to.
you ask fourty-million questions here over and over and over again... by now you should have a BOOK with all the answers and info you've been given. just pack and go for heaven's sake and stop worrying! at this point it is becoming over-planning - you'll be spending more time with your million lists than you will be enjoying the trip.
Since you're not American TT...I don't think you'll be worrying too much about finding a lot of American foods...though they are in abundance here along with many Common Wealth grocery items that you'll be familiar with.
The three largest grocery stores here in Negril include...Hi Lo, Value Master & Quality Traders....these are located downtown, all within minutes of the round about.
In the West End, at the end of Seastar Lane is Wise Choice...a small but varied shop. While you're staying on the beach...you'll be close enough to walk to Value Master.
I would like to thank everyone that posted helpful replies especially giving names of stores that I can then easily locate on a negril map!That will save me a lot of time walking around in hot sun with the children on busy roads asking for directions!
I am not american but I do enjoy a wide variety of foods and do not need to seek out speciality produce.
Miss blue I have to disagree with your comment that I have asked this question over and over again a zillion times as this is the first time I have asked this question for this trip.
Perhaps you may be getting confused if I asked on a previous trip but as we all know things can change pretty fast in Negril so it is always good to get good up to date advice from those who do know what they are speaking about.
For the lady that asked how much food will we be needing well the answer is quite simply-LOTS
There are 5 of us big eaters who like at least 4 main meals a day plus snacks and drinks (fatties) we are not just there for one week we are there for over a month.
I did take note of your suggestion to bring the instant mash!Very clever idea.May end up doing that especially as a part of a quick snack when visiting with family.I never bring food in my suitcase it weighs too much and we could not fit enough in to share round anyway and then you have all the airport laws on food items,and we prefer to buy and spend locally when we are on holiday.
Miss Blue the only list/s I have is:
where I will be sleeping/ where I will be needed to assist/which fun people I will be meeting and where!
If I did not have those lists!I would not know where I would be sleeping-unable to help out where I said I would and miss all the lovely people I wish to link up with.
and now I also have correct up to date information on where the grocery shops are should I need to shop.
I like to know where the local amenities are wherever I stay .
I believe it is only natural for a mother to seek out ways to feed her children if getting dropped off thousands of miles away from home.
Some very helpful advice given here
i couldn't cook a dyam thing when i was in jamaica - you need the pressure cooker for almost any kind of meat - and i'm scared of that thing . . . lol
and i agree with jitterbug that is it expensive to buy all the stuff you need to cook - even if you cook every day - setting up includes salt pepper oil seasonings condiments can opener possibly cooking gas - i had a wonderful adventure getting that delivered - NOT
what i have learned is to eat a big full breakfast eat lunch and have dinner and don't "eat up the beach" as i tell my kid when he wants something from every vendor that walks down the beach fruit cotton candy jerk pork patties - lol
that being said - you can find anything you want at Value Master or Hi Hi - i mean Hi Lo - and there's a giant market in Mobay
I am not intending to cook too much,
I have breakfast included at one place I am staying and it's low cost to add extra food at breakfast time
Their food and drinks menu is delicious and reasonably priced so I am ok for breakfasts and have the option of dining out in the evening time there,they cater to all tastes and budgets so breakfast and some evening meals will probably be at the hotel.
The shopping would probably be for snacks mainly-bread and cheese for sandwiches pop/juice/soda/water
(I have spent $60+ at the bar on holiday per day just for juice for the children if they order mocktails I am finished!)
They can really drink so I like to have some drinks supplies in also crisps bulla,crackers that kind of thing as it would only be snacks and lunchtime we need to take care of.We do like patties and snacks for lunch which we should have no problem getting hold of.
Also a decent grocery store in Sav if you get out that way, in the plaza where Singer is. They had Tofu there, good price too. Also several varieties of powdered coconut milk, including brands that don't have any dairy milk derivatives in it.
Remember to keep all those snacky items well-packaged to keep the ants out. I bring down empty plastic ice cream containers to use for storage.
:-(Quote:
Originally Posted by Lola
Lawd have mercy..!!..
AIN'T THAT the TRUTH..!!..
dem ant's & other-things will drive you crazy, if you're not careful and use the *proper* Ja-techniques & practices for food-handling & storage.
bottom-line::>> it'd BETTER BE sealed-UP TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT
and do NOT eat in bed
:-(
if you get/got crumbs, etc,
you-WILL be eatin' alive
...along with the crumbs, etc.
:-(
btw... please please PLEASE, write a likkle trip-report when you-all get back .... i can't wait to read how tings work-ed out for you's with the food thing-ys
should/could be an *interesting* & informative read, fi sure
ummmmmmmmmmmmm....
so,
you der for 1-month eh
lol
lol
lol
gonna be *fun*
..big fun, ... believe DAT..!!..
A month! I am very jealous... I will never be able to take a month off work.. and I am 30 yrs+ from retirement.. lol
That's awesome..
a cold full fridge in itself is a real money saver......and sometimes a piece of toast and cereal is more convenient than going out for early breakfast even if its close!
so tru-truQuote:
Originally Posted by Rambo
BUT::>> i'm *wonder*-ing
boardie-TicToc....what-SIZE fridge will you have..??..
...does it include a large-enough freezer, too..???..
i've found that refrigerator-wise,
things are *different* in Jamaica
btw ---- boardie-Seveen (above) mentioned::>> cooking-gas
...have your got that *figured*-out, on how-to deal wit it..??..
......'cause for 1-month, and if you-all eat a lot, the odds are pretty-good that you'll run-thru a tank of gas in quick-quick fashion. Gonna need to KNOW how to change tanks, and the *proper* handling ---- don't want any *accidents*, na tru
gotta know where to get the gas
gotta have a way to get the empty to the gas-man & bring filled tank back
bone aper-teet
SMITH! nice to see you , I was just thinking about you while planning this trip thinking smith would know where to buy everything! Smith was one of my inspirations to try things out even if I do not have pockets full of cash!I remember a trip report you wrote and you bought bags of oranges and other little treats pretty cheap.The trip report was very good I loved it.I think I may need to find that one again and have a read.
Another very good point brought up with the ants.I would have forgotten if you did not remind me.I will bring some plastic boxes with lids for snacks very good idea.
Smith the fridge probably does not even have a freezer compartment so most things I will buy will be fresh and have to be eaten pretty soon but everything gets eaten quite quickly in my family anyway!
Almost 6 weeks this trip will be for.
I do not have to worry about gas I have a kitchen with stove at one place gas included -full cooker and a little kitchenette now at the other place so that will be a hotplate and at the families house I will pay for the gas and the man who delivers it just hooks it up and in the cabins where I may stay for a while there is a big kitchen with cookers and fridges and freezers so I do not have to worry about gas and changing cannisters.I might have to bug a few people and start another list now of things I should not forget LOL
item number 1=plastic tubs with lids
oh it is making me want to get the suitcase out and put them in!My toiletries order just got delivered and just spraying the spray reminds me of Jamaica and my holidays and I want to put that in too
a *few* comments....
1...plastic canister/container(s) --- i'd get 'em in Jamaica
..dunno where in Negril, but they're pretty easy to find, and CHEAP-CHEAP-er than in-foreign
2....buying stuff cheap(er) --- [[in brief ]], unless you GOT-TO, DO NOT buy nutin' IN-Negril .... Negril is the '.high-rent.' district ... everyting der is more expensive, compared to other non-tourist parts of the island.
I always chuckle when i hear Negril-residents complaining about the high-cost-of-living in Negril. ..lol lol lol lol lol... i tell 'em to get-OUT of Negril, and GO-BACK ah yard, where you came from,,,, where stuff is cheaper.
as you know, i stay in Lucea-area,
and commute to Negril
...BEFORE i come-over to Negril, i ALL-ways make-SURE i buy what i *need* IN-Lucea first-thing, before i hop in a route-taxi for the short 28-minutes ride to Negril. .....unless, i know of someplace in-Negril where i can get something-something for a comparable as-cheap price.
3.....my buying a bag of oranges, etc.... ALL-ways buy in bulk/large-volumn..!!..
..as long as you're gonna consume the stuff in a timely fashion
for example, if you, in your case, this-trip, need washing powder for laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc. .... then get the BIGGEST bag.... NOT the likkle itty-bitty bag
4....so,,,, you-SAY::>> the fridge *PROBABLY* doesn't have a freezer compartment eh
...ummmmmmmmmmmmm
WHY don't you KNOW..!!???????!!
..these are the kinds of things you'd BETTER ask-about
:-(
similarly, if you're gonna be there for 4-6 weeks, it's a good idea to up-front ask/inquire as to how/who gonna take are of maintenance of things ---- i don't have enough fingers & toes to count the times folks have shared stories about this-or-that not working, or breaking .... AND THEN the landlord starts to play *games* when it comes to making repairs/replacements
will you have a written lease-agreement with who-ever you dealing with..??..
if it ain't in writing, then it's *game-time*, EVERY-time
5....the food is too-too-fresh in Jamaica ---- don't waste stuff, buy getting too much
:-(
Jamaican food-stuff WILL go-bad quick-quick
..due to less or no-preservatives
....& weather conditons
.......and fruit-wise, it was picked when it was READY to eat
..........you won't get that NOT-RIPE stuff that you get in-foreign
ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....
so,
over the 6-weeks
you'll be moving around (for lodge-ing) eh
whatcha gonna do with all that food...??..
move it from place to place..??..
your toiletries mention reminded me,
that i've got a couple pics & videos that i need to post,
chattin' about my *problems*, issues
and challenges that Jamaica always throws my way
e.g.::>> the itchy-s
:-(
LawdJeezus,,, i hate the itchy-s
:-(
Zip-Loc bags are your friend in JA.
for moi, it's not a problem in-Lucea-country, BUT:::>> won't Jamaican mice & rats chew thru the zip-lock bags..??..Quote:
Originally Posted by wrtiii
i know you/we-all know they got some big rats in over-populate city-fide places like Negril na tru
I haven't seen any where I stay - but I know from experience that mice will chew through any plastic container with no trouble. I used to live in an old house in the country where it was impossible to keep them out.
What I do see in JA is a lot of tiny ants that seem to show up within the hour if you leave food out, or have crumbs.
HA HA...now this makes me chuckle...sounds like the "Negril-residents" are playing the "woe is me" game with you. I've shopped in MANY different places & just as it can be back in North America or the UK etc....it depends on the store and the item...some places are cheaper for some things...some places more expensive for other items. I know some Jamaican friends that come into Negril for items they find cheaper here and other times we'll all go to nearby towns for certain products. But, for the most part...Negril residents do most of their shopping here as the prices aren't that significantly different.Quote:
Originally Posted by smith744
I have containers....use them....but living in Negril I also use ziplock bags with NO issue! TT...you don't need to be lugging plastic containers around.
zip lock bags kept in a clean refrigerator (no spilled juice etc) work just fine.
:-(Quote:
Originally Posted by Bnewb
don't laugh, Lady
but, you're probably right
* sigh *
so it goes
tru truQuote:
Originally Posted by sunray
mice, rats & ants don't know how to open the fridge na tru
huh..??..Quote:
Originally Posted by wrtiii
within in ONE-Hour...???...
my my my
..dem some slow ants
the Ja-ones i *know* show-up in 'bout 8 minutes 42 seconds
:-(
We usually bring a few plastic boxes on the plane with us for ~yes you guessed it MORE FOOD!
so we will have a couple with us anyway.
and we have a a couple of ziplocks usually use them for my lotions.
I don't have to worry about mice and rats do not panick me!
I seriously do not do mice and rats but the establishments I am staying at are nice and clean and I have never seen any there and if I do I am sure I can swing from the light fitting and shout for help.Hopefully someone will rescue me!
I like low budget in price but not quality.I am not coming to play gas barrel man or ratcatcher!
I am very happy with my choices of places to stay and I do not forsee any rat or gas problems LOL
I learned about the ants way back when I was visiting family and the kids were just strolling around eating biscuits.We did not know about the ant situation until I heard a shout
" AAAAAA WHAAAAAAAAAA DISSSSSSSSS??" and I jumped out of my skin and thought what have the children done? They had taken their snacks into the bedroom-biscuits crackers ,crisps and their grandmother went to check on them and I just heard "aaaaaaaaaaa whaaaaaaaaa dissssssssss" I ran to the room wondering what had happened and there were ants everywhere and I mean everywhere we got taught about the ants and never did it again
when I had the cottage in the beginning and had to go grocery shopping..........Quote:
Originally Posted by TiCtOc
I use to blow thru $150-$200US like nuthin .........lol
learned pretty quick to go shopping in Sav(usually Sat mornings at the market) and load up once a week........
and eat like a Jamaican cause eating like a foreigner is cost prohibitive.........
so mi learned to enjoy Seasoned Rice and Chicken cooked a hundred different ways.........lol
buy fresh fish and conch from the fishermon's......and vegetables and fruit from the stands.......
mi luxury was getting some coconut ice cream now and then.......lol
Cool Runnings, Marko