The Best Places to Provision in Newfoundland

Newfoundland, a beautiful and rugged island located in the North Atlantic, is a popular destination for sailors seeking adventure and a taste of the unique culture and history of this Canadian province. As you embark on your sailing journey with your family, it’s essential to know where to provision and shop in foreign ports. In this article, we’ll explore the best places to provision in Newfoundland, ensuring you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable sailing experience.

Table of Contents

• St. John’s: The Capital City
• Conception Bay South: A Convenient Stopover
• Corner Brook: Gateway to the West Coast
• Twillingate: The Iceberg Capital
• Lewisporte: A Boater’s Paradise
• Local Markets and Farm Stands
• Provisioning Tips for Newfoundland

St. John’s: The Capital City

As the capital city of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s is a bustling port with a rich history and vibrant culture. It’s an excellent place to provision, as you’ll find a wide variety of grocery stores, markets, and specialty shops to suit your needs.

Supermarkets

• Sobeys: With multiple locations throughout the city, Sobeys offers a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, and pantry staples. They also have an in-store bakery and deli, making it easy to pick up freshly baked bread and prepared meals.

• Dominion: Another popular supermarket chain in St. John’s, Dominion offers a similar selection to Sobeys, with the added bonus of a larger organic and health food section.

• Colemans: A locally-owned grocery store, Colemans prides itself on offering a wide variety of local products, including fresh seafood, meats, and produce. They also have a well-stocked international foods section.

Specialty Shops

• Belbin’s Grocery: A historic grocery store located in the heart of downtown St. John’s, Belbin’s offers a unique shopping experience with a focus on local products and gourmet items. It’s an excellent place to find specialty cheeses, charcuterie, and imported goods.

• Rocket Bakery & Fresh Food: This popular bakery and café is a must-visit for freshly baked bread, pastries, and sandwiches. They also offer a small selection of gourmet pantry items and locally-made products.

• The Healthy Vibe: If you’re looking for health food and specialty diet items, The Healthy Vibe is the place to go. They offer a wide selection of organic, gluten-free, and vegan products, as well as vitamins and supplements.

Conception Bay South: A Convenient Stopover

Located just 20 kilometers southwest of St. John’s, Conception Bay South is a convenient stopover for sailors exploring the Avalon Peninsula. While it’s a smaller community, you’ll still find a few grocery stores and specialty shops to provision.

Supermarkets

• Sobeys: The Conception Bay South location of this popular supermarket chain offers a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, and pantry staples.

• Foodland: A smaller grocery store, Foodland offers a more limited selection than Sobeys but still has all the essentials for provisioning.

Specialty Shops

• The Pantry: This small café and gourmet food shop offers a selection of specialty cheeses, charcuterie, and imported goods, as well as freshly baked bread and pastries.

Corner Brook: Gateway to the West Coast

As the largest city on Newfoundland’s west coast, Corner Brook is an excellent place to provision before exploring the stunning fjords and mountains of the region.

Supermarkets

• Colemans: The Corner Brook location of this locally-owned grocery store offers a wide variety of local products, including fresh seafood, meats, and produce.

• Sobeys: With a similar selection to their St. John’s locations, the Corner Brook Sobeys is a reliable option for provisioning.

• Dominion: Another popular supermarket chain, the Corner Brook Dominion offers a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, and pantry staples.

Specialty Shops

• Brewed on Bernard: This specialty coffee shop and café also offers a small selection of gourmet pantry items and locally-made products.

• The Health Food Store: If you’re looking for health food and specialty diet items, The Health Food Store in Corner Brook offers a wide selection of organic, gluten-free, and vegan products, as well as vitamins and supplements.

Twillingate: The Iceberg Capital

Twillingate, known as the Iceberg Capital of the World, is a picturesque fishing community located on Newfoundland’s northeast coast. While it’s a smaller community, you’ll still find a few grocery stores and specialty shops to provision.

Supermarkets

• Foodland: The Twillingate location of this grocery store offers a more limited selection than larger supermarkets but still has all the essentials for provisioning.

• Twillingate Co-op: A small, locally-owned grocery store, the Twillingate Co-op offers a selection of fresh produce, meats, and pantry staples.

Specialty Shops

• Annie’s Harbour Restaurant & Bakery: This popular restaurant and bakery offers freshly baked bread, pastries, and sandwiches, as well as a small selection of gourmet pantry items and locally-made products.

Lewisporte: A Boater’s Paradise

Located on the shores of Notre Dame Bay, Lewisporte is a popular destination for boaters due to its well-equipped marina and beautiful surroundings. It’s also a great place to provision, with a few grocery stores and specialty shops to choose from.

Supermarkets

• Foodland: The Lewisporte location of this grocery store offers a more limited selection than larger supermarkets but still has all the essentials for provisioning.

• Lewisporte Co-op: A small, locally-owned grocery store, the Lewisporte Co-op offers a selection of fresh produce, meats, and pantry staples.

Specialty Shops

• Brittany Inns & Dining Room: This charming inn and restaurant also offers a small selection of gourmet pantry items and locally-made products.

Local Markets and Farm Stands

In addition to the supermarkets and specialty shops mentioned above, Newfoundland is home to a variety of local markets and farm stands where you can find fresh, locally-grown produce, meats, and other products. Some popular options include:

• St. John’s Farmers’ Market: Held every Saturday in the capital city, this bustling market offers a wide variety of local products, including fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and baked goods.

• Lester’s Farm Market: Located just outside of St. John’s, Lester’s Farm Market is a family-owned farm stand offering a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, and other local products.

• Five Brothers Artisan Cheese: This small, family-owned cheese producer offers a variety of handcrafted cheeses made from local milk. You can find their products at various markets and specialty shops throughout Newfoundland.

Provisioning Tips for Newfoundland

• Plan ahead: While Newfoundland offers a variety of grocery stores and specialty shops, it’s essential to plan your provisioning stops in advance, especially when visiting smaller communities with limited options.

• Shop local: Whenever possible, support local businesses and farmers by purchasing locally-made products and fresh, locally-grown produce.

• Be flexible: While you may have a specific list of items you’d like to purchase, be prepared to be flexible and adapt your meal plans based on what’s available.

• Stock up on non-perishables: When you find a well-stocked supermarket or specialty shop, take the opportunity to stock up on non-perishable items like canned goods, pasta, and rice.

With this comprehensive guide to provisioning in Newfoundland, you’ll be well-prepared for your sailing adventure in this beautiful and rugged Canadian province. Happy sailing!