Groceries (fresh produce etc) are available in even the smallest of islands. Logistics and supply chain has reached the furtherest corners of the world so it seems. You could probably pick up a jar of Skippy peanut butter in an igloo store in Antarctica...
We have eaten far fewer tins / canned goods than we thought we would. One should stock up for the crossing from Galapagos to Polynesia as you could spend 30+ days at sea if there is little wind. But once in the Marquesas, there are loads of fruit and local vegetables and occasionally frozen meats (of questionable quality) from far flung places too. You certainly will not starve. As for prices, we thought that they were not too bad for the staples; fruit, veg, breads, rice and so forth. At the cost of adding a ton of tins to your vessel and at the risk of lowering the waterline another inch or so, I would (in hindsight) not have bought as much food. I'm talking about 100 less tins! I also found with the rice and flour from Panama that almost every bag got bugs in so if I were to do it again, I'd just buy enough to do the crossing then buy more when needed. I ended up throwing quite a bit of Panamanian flour out because it was crawling and this seems to have been the case with many others who bought their flour and rice from the supermarkets of Panama. I didn't experience bugs in our food anywhere else on our trip.
We did catch a large number of fish on our crossing and some of the islands too (all pelagic). We are by no means experienced fishermen, but tended to land a fish (mainly mahi-mahi) almost every time we tossed out a pink squid lure. This combined with a smaller appetite whilst at sea and dislike for cooking at a perpendicular angle meant that we ate surprisingly little.
What we would recommend stocking up on would be more of the goods that you cannot find or are prohibitively expensive in the middle of the South Pacific. These include snack foods like nuts, biscuits, chocolate, coffee, good tea etc. I like my tea, good British tea and to my horror ran out in the middle of the Pacific. The only type I could find to replenish my stock was Lipton's Yellow Label. Yuck.
We also went a little over the top on the toilet paper and other toiletries. Rather too much than too little I say, but you can find something to wipe one's posterior with in most places (texture and quality may be similar to that of a cactus but it still works). Now in Australia I still have 9 kitchen rolls and a 12 pack of toilet rolls left and that's having given some away en route!
With the extra food we had onboard, and we had A LOT, we started donating it to wanting individuals as early as the Marquesas. At least you know, if you do over provision, there are many opportunities to give it away en route. This is what I was left with of my Panamanian provisions when arriving in Australia bearing in mind I already gave a lot away to other yachties and island people:
|
Type
|
Qty
|
Measurement
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food
|
|
|
|
Pasta
|
2
|
kg
|
|
Tinned Tomato
|
8
|
tins
|
|
Tinned tomato paste (small)
|
1
|
tins
|
|
Tinned Veggies (assorted)
|
4
|
tins
|
|
Tinned black beans
|
3
|
tins
|
|
Tinned pigeon peas
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned beef stew
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Cream of something soup
|
8
|
tins
|
|
Asparagus tips
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Artichoke Hearts
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned Sweet Corn
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Creamed corn
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Cream of coconut
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned chickpeas
|
6
|
tins
|
|
Tinned beets
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned fruit
|
6
|
tins
|
|
Tinned condensed milk
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned tuna
|
4
|
tins
|
|
Evaporated milk
|
6
|
tins
|
|
Smash
|
6
|
packets
|
|
Gin
|
1
|
bottle
|
|
Vodka
|
1
|
bottle
|
|
Rum
|
1
|
bottle
|
|
Burrito wraps
|
5
|
packets
|
|
Soy sauce
|
1
|
bottle
|
|
Pickled ginger
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Chilli sauce
|
2
|
bottle
|
|
Mayo
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Lentils
|
1
|
kg
|
|
Israeli cous cous
|
1
|
kg
|
|
Oats
|
3
|
kg
|
|
Pancake mix
|
1
|
box
|
|
Pasta sauces
|
10
|
packets
|
|
Peanut butter
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Teryakki sauce
|
1
|
bottle
|
|
Pepper
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Oregano
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Turmeric
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Cumin seeds
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Garam masala
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Ground ginger
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Chives
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Basil
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Coriander
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Salt
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Desiccated coconut
|
1
|
packets
|
|
Lemon and Lime juice
|
1
|
bottle
|
|
Stock cubes (Beef, Chicken, Veg)
|
3
|
jars
|
|
Tang (boxes)
|
1
|
box
|
|
Cup of Soup
|
10
|
packets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Galley
|
|
|
|
Tin foil
|
1
|
|
|
Cling Film
|
1
|
|
|
Zip lock bags (gallon size)
|
2
|
|
|
Pam baking spray
|
1
|
|
|
Dish washing liquid
|
1
|
|
|
Fire lighters
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baking
|
|
|
|
Baking Powder
|
1
|
|
|
Yeast
|
1
|
|
|
Cake mixes
|
1
|
|
|
Maple syrup
|
1
|
|
|
Easi-yo
|
4
|
|
So, hindsight being a wonderful thing, here is my amended provisioning list of what I would buy in Panama if I were to do it all over again. We also now know what we will and won't eat. For example, cup of soups sounded like a great idea at the time, but in hindsight, they just don't do it for us on passage where as dried mashed potato with baked beans is my favourite meal! Quick, simple and uses minimal pots and pans. No chopping stuff at 60 degree angles etc.
|
Type
|
Original quantity
|
Revised quantity
|
Measurement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non Perishables
|
|
|
|
|
Rice
|
8
|
2
|
kg
|
|
Pasta (Fusilli, shells)
|
6
|
2
|
kg
|
|
Spaghetti
|
5
|
2
|
kg
|
|
2 min noods
|
58
|
20
|
packets
|
|
Pearl barley
|
6
|
2
|
packets
|
|
Tinned Tomato
|
33
|
15
|
tins
|
|
Tinned tomato paste (small)
|
7
|
4
|
tins
|
|
Tinned Veggies (assorted)
|
20
|
5
|
tins
|
|
Tinned potatoes
|
8
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned Black beans
|
6
|
4
|
tins
|
|
Tinned Beans pigeon peas
|
8
|
6
|
tins
|
|
Tinned beef stew
|
16
|
10
|
tins
|
|
Tinned ham
|
4
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned corned beef hash
|
6
|
4
|
tins
|
|
Octopus
|
4
|
4
|
tins
|
|
Corned beef
|
2
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned chicken
|
18
|
18
|
tins
|
|
Pork and beans
|
2
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Baked beans
|
6
|
12
|
tins
|
|
Chilli beans
|
2
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Meatballs
|
2
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Cream of something soup
|
20
|
10
|
tins
|
|
Asparagus tips
|
1
|
1
|
tins
|
|
Artichoke Hearts
|
5
|
1
|
tins
|
|
Tinned Sweet Corn
|
10
|
5
|
tins
|
|
Creamed corn
|
2
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned Coconut milk
|
3
|
10
|
tins
|
|
Cream of coconut
|
2
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned chickpeas
|
20
|
10
|
tins
|
|
Tinned beets
|
2
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned mushrooms
|
4
|
10
|
tins
|
|
Tinned fruit
|
20
|
10
|
tins
|
|
Tinned condensed milk
|
9
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Tinned tuna
|
24
|
15
|
tins
|
|
Tinned salmon
|
4
|
4
|
tins
|
|
Tinned cream
|
4
|
8
|
tins
|
|
Evaporated milk
|
6
|
4
|
tins
|
|
Smash
|
7
|
20
|
packets
|
|
Coke
|
24
|
24
|
cans
|
|
Tonic
|
12
|
12
|
cans
|
|
Beers
|
6
|
5
|
cases
|
|
Wine
|
22
|
22
|
boxes
|
|
Gin
|
1
|
4
|
bottles
|
|
Vodka
|
4
|
4
|
bottles
|
|
Rum
|
18
|
18
|
bottles
|
|
Whisky
|
4
|
4
|
bottles
|
|
Burrito wraps
|
30
|
15
|
packets of 8
|
|
Chocolate bar (small)
|
7
|
8
|
boxes
|
|
Sweets (Hard candies)
|
1
|
8
|
boxes
|
|
Milk UHT
|
36
|
36
|
litres
|
|
Crisps (Pringles etc)
|
8
|
8
|
packets
|
|
Biscuits
|
5
|
8
|
boxes
|
|
Soy sauce
|
2
|
1
|
bottles
|
|
Tomato Sauce
|
2
|
2
|
bottles
|
|
Sweet Chilli Sauce
|
2
|
1
|
bottles
|
|
Mixed pickle
|
2
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Pickled ginger
|
1
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Chilli sauce
|
2
|
1
|
bottles
|
|
Chilli paste
|
3
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Mayo
|
4
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Lentils
|
8
|
2
|
kg
|
|
Sprouting seeds
|
1
|
1
|
bag
|
|
Israeli cous cous
|
1
|
1
|
kg
|
|
Dried pigeon peas
|
1
|
1
|
kg
|
|
Crackers (Ducales)
|
4
|
2
|
tins
|
|
Granola
|
2
|
2
|
bag
|
|
Granola bars
|
1
|
1
|
boxes
|
|
Oats
|
4
|
4
|
kg
|
|
Breadcrumbs
|
2
|
2
|
units
|
|
Pancake mix
|
4
|
2
|
boxes
|
|
Pasta sauces
|
27
|
15
|
sachets
|
|
Cous cous
|
3
|
2
|
kg
|
|
Pasta rice
|
1
|
1
|
kg
|
|
Peanut butter
|
2
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Teryakki sauce
|
1
|
1
|
bottles
|
|
Pepper
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Curry powder
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Oregano
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Smoked paprika
|
1
|
1
|
units
|
|
Turmeric
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Cumin seeds
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Cumin powder
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Chilli powder
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Chilli flakes
|
1
|
1
|
units
|
|
Garam masala
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Ground ginger
|
1
|
1
|
units
|
|
Chives
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Basil
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Coriander
|
1
|
1
|
units
|
|
Thyme
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Salt
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Desiccated coconut
|
4
|
2
|
packets
|
|
Tea
|
3
|
2
|
boxes
|
|
Coffee
|
4
|
6
|
jars
|
|
Olives
|
5
|
5
|
pouches
|
|
Minced garlic
|
1
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Parmesan cheese
|
4
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Lemon and Lime juice
|
2
|
1
|
bottles
|
|
Coffee mate
|
2
|
1
|
jar
|
|
Brown Sugar
|
4
|
2
|
kg
|
|
White Sugar
|
7
|
2
|
kg
|
|
Dark brown sugar
|
1
|
1
|
kg
|
|
Stock cubes (Beef, Chicken, Veg)
|
6
|
2
|
units
|
|
Olive Oil
|
4
|
2
|
units
|
|
Vegetable oil
|
4
|
2
|
units
|
|
Jam
|
2
|
2
|
jars
|
|
Tang (boxes)
|
8
|
2
|
boxes
|
|
Cup of Soup
|
28
|
12
|
units
|
|
Gravy
|
2
|
2
|
sachets
|
|
Popcorn
|
6
|
2
|
kg
|
|
Sunflower seeds
|
1
|
1
|
packets
|
|
Jalapeños
|
1
|
1
|
jar
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perishables – fruit
|
|
|
|
|
Oranges
|
40
|
40
|
units
|
|
Tomatoes
|
10
|
10
|
units
|
|
Courgette
|
0
|
2
|
units
|
|
Carrots
|
20
|
20
|
units
|
|
Cabbages
|
3
|
4
|
units
|
|
Potatoes
|
30
|
20
|
units
|
|
Green bananas
|
3
|
3
|
hands
|
|
Apples
|
0
|
12
|
units
|
|
Passion fruit
|
10
|
10
|
units
|
|
Coconut
|
0
|
4
|
units
|
|
Pumpkin
|
3
|
2
|
units
|
|
Onions
|
30
|
20
|
units
|
|
Garlic
|
20
|
20
|
units
|
|
Limes
|
40
|
40
|
units
|
|
Ginger
|
1
|
1
|
units
|
|
Avo
|
2
|
2
|
units
|
|
Beans
|
0
|
1
|
units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perishables – dairy
|
|
|
|
|
Cheese (blanco)
|
2
|
2
|
kg
|
|
Cheese (normal)
|
2
|
2
|
kg
|
|
Yoghurt
|
12
|
12
|
units
|
|
Cream cheese
|
2
|
1
|
units
|
|
Butter
|
3
|
4
|
units
|
|
Eggs
|
6
|
3
|
trays of 24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Perishables – other
|
|
|
|
|
Bread
|
1
|
1
|
loaf
|
|
Mince meat
|
1
|
1
|
packets
|
|
Sausage
|
1
|
1
|
packets
|
|
Bacon
|
1
|
1
|
packets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Galley
|
|
|
|
|
Tin foil
|
3
|
1
|
boxes
|
|
Cling Film
|
2
|
1
|
boxes
|
|
Grease proof paper
|
2
|
1
|
boxes
|
|
Zip lock bags (gallon size)
|
3
|
1
|
boxes
|
|
Scourers
|
12
|
12
|
units
|
|
Pam baking spray
|
4
|
4
|
units
|
|
Dish washing liquid
|
4
|
4
|
bottles
|
|
Fire lighters
|
5
|
5
|
units
|
|
Batteries
|
3
|
3
|
boxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baking
|
|
|
|
|
Baking Powder
|
3
|
1
|
boxes
|
|
Yeast
|
3
|
1
|
units
|
|
Chocolate chips
|
3
|
3
|
bags
|
|
Egg replacer
|
1
|
1
|
units
|
|
Cake mixes
|
9
|
8
|
boxes
|
|
Cocoa Powder
|
4
|
2
|
packets
|
|
Flour
|
9
|
4
|
kg
|
|
Nuts
|
6
|
6
|
kg
|
|
Dried fruit
|
8
|
1
|
kg
|
|
Vanilla essence
|
2
|
1
|
bottles
|
|
Honey
|
1
|
1
|
bottles
|
|
Maple syrup
|
3
|
2
|
bottles
|
|
Icing sugar
|
2
|
1
|
boxes
|
|
Raisins
|
1
|
4
|
boxes
|
|
Muesli
|
1
|
2
|
kg
|
|
Easi-yo
|
10
|
10
|
sachets
|
