You do not have to grow your own. IGA “Real Value” supermarket is air-conditioned, white tiles, hanging signs over every row, the whole bit. It also has the advantage of being on the bus route and since everything in med school boils down to convenience, most people shop at IGA. Other options include Food Fair in Monte Tout and CK’s Super Value at the roundabout by the Texaco (yes, this is how directions are given in Grenada).
The tricks: Food Fair and CK’s are cheaper and you can buy in BULK. IGA has a much larger selection but you pay for the convenience and the AC with higher prices. IGA also has fresh produce, a deli, and the best shopping is Saturday mornings because the supply trucks unload on Friday night. It is an island, so things can be scarce. Milk and cheese will sometimes be unavailable. Veggie burgers are plentiful.
January 21, 2007 at 6:34 am
*A Grenadian Perspective*
Hi.
I’m Grenadian and a Med student, so I’m in the particular (and ammusing) situation of watching my classmates complain and confuse themselves with my country.
While I agree that Real Value has a wider and more American rande of products, to get the best shopping experience, I would suggest:
For Fresh Fruits: MNIB
While Real Value has a more international selection of fruits (such as fresh cranberries, plums, and peaches), to get fresh, local Caribbean fruits, this is the place you may want to go. There are three branches: the nearest one is in Excel Plaza. If you want, you don’t even have to leave campus; a truck comes in a couple times a week and sells the same produce found in the store. Here you’d get mangoes, grapefruits, tangerines, etc.
For Fresh Vegetables: Dosen’t really matter much
Besides Real Value that has a more variety of food such as fresh artichokes, asparagus and leeks, many of the general vegetables such as carrots, cauliflower, tomatoes and cucumbers are of the same quality or are bought from similar local farmers.
For Chicken and other Meats: Real Value
Here, no other supermarket in Grenada can compare.
For Fresh Fish: The Fish Market (located in St. George’s)
Sadly, the supermarkets don’t seem to cater for fish-lovers. While you’ll find fish in supermarkets, you will most likely only see them in the frozen section. If you want fresh fish, the best place to find it is in the Fish Market in the capital. Mornings are a good time to venture off into the town, and it only costs EC$2 to take public transportation.
For the Widest Variety: Real Value
While a bit more expensive than most, Real Value has the largest variety of ‘brand name’ products. Most students shop there, and it’s very convient to get to as well.
For the Best Bargain: Food Fair
Sure Food Fair may only have three brands of butter instead of seven and Caribbean brands you’ve never heard before, but if you want to save, this might be your spermarket. Contrary to what you might think, it is located on one of the bus routes (though it is a less frequent one), is air-condtioned (though you can’t really feel it), and takes credit cards (P.S. there’s a minumun).
October 23, 2009 at 6:37 am
IGA is a great place to shop for brand-names, but watch out for what you buy. On NUMEROUS occasions, the baggers have been caught STEALING items from customers without any repercussion; in fact, the cashiers often laugh when caught. It is such a shame that this store will not act on this problem, but encourages it.