The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs is notifying the public of its latest territory-wide food basket survey findings, which were completed during the last week of October. The food basket survey is designed to inform consumers of which stores have the best prices on staple grocery items. The number of items compared on each island varies as a result of comparison guidelines that require items are identical in order to produce a valid survey.
St. Croix: four stores were surveyed: Pueblo Golden Rock, Pueblo La Reine, and Plaza Extra stores in Christiansted and Frederiksted. A total of 34 of the same items were compared at each location. The difference between the highest and lowest-priced basket for October was $11.49.
The lowest-priced family food basket was found at Plaza Extra’s Christiansted location at $78.24. Plaza Extra’s Frederiksted location came in second with a food basket cost of $78.66; 42 cents more than its counterpart location. Pueblo’s La Reine location came in third with a basket cost of $86.83. Closing out the survey was Pueblo’s Golden Rock location at a cost of $89.73.
St. Thomas: four stores were surveyed: Plaza Extra, Food Center, and Pueblo supermarkets in Long Bay and Sub Base. A total of 40 of the same items were compared at each location. The difference between the highest and lowest-priced basket for September was $20.38.
The lowest priced family food basket was found at Plaza Extra with a cost of $137.82. For the 10th consecutive month, Plaza Extra has offered the lowest priced family food basket.
Pueblo’s Subbase and Long Bay locations came in second and third respectively with a difference of $1.94 between them. Pueblo Sub Base had a food basket cost of $151.48, while Pueblo’s Long Bay location had a food basket cost of $153.42. Food Center came in fourth with a food basket cost of $158.20.
St. John: three stores were surveyed: Dolphin Market, Starfish Market, and Pine Peace Mini Mart. A total of 20 of the same items were compared at each location. The difference between the highest and lowest priced food basket for September was $2.98.
The lowest priced food basket was found at Dolphin Market at a cost of $43.57. Pine Peace Mini Mart came in second with a food basket cost of $44.11. Coming in third was Star Fish Market with a food basket cost of $46.55
Consumers are reminded to shop wisely and compare food prices to make the best economic choices. DLCA’s food basket survey compares brand name products to ensure accurate comparisons. However consumers are encouraged to try store brands and other generic named goods. It is worth checking out alternatives to the priciest products. Buying items that are not nationally advertised but that are identical or at least close enough can save a lot of money. Compare ingredients to determine how similar products are, sometimes they are identical. Returning to a favorite name brand is always an option if the generic brand does not provide the same level of satisfaction. A number of the stores surveyed offer store brand products.
