If you’re staying at your vacation rental for a week or more, you’re likely planning on doing at least a little cooking. That might mean taking advantage of the full kitchen for gourmet meals or frying eggs and bacon for everyone each morning. If you plan on cooking, you’ll need to hit the grocery store for supplies. You’ll need a vacation grocery list to help you make the most of your time in the sun.
One easy way to get the items on your vacation grocery list is via a delivery service. You’ll find lots grocery delivery service options in Southwest Florida. Learn more about what to put on your vacation grocery list and how to get these staples delivered to your rental’s front door. Maximize your time spent relaxing and enjoying your time away from home.
If you’re staying on Sanibel or Captiva Island, you have a couple of choices to get groceries delivered to your vacation rental. Bailey’s General Store is a full-service hardware and grocery store located in the heart of Sanibel Island. Look forward to a full-service deli, fresh produce, an in-house bakery and fresh cuts of meat. There is also a coffee bar and a hearty selection of gluten-free products to choose from.
Jerry’s Foods is a colorful grocery store that can also deliver groceries straight to your vacation rental. Be sure to try their key lime pie. Some people call it the “best in the world.” The deli features fresh Boars Head meat and cheese. Jerry’s also has fresh seafood, a bakery, salad bar, wine and beer, a Redbox video service, and online ordering and delivery.
What to Put on Your Vacation Grocery List
Before you go stocking up on burgers, buns and chips, it’s important to put a little thought into what the groceries you’ll need during your vacation. Even though your kitchen might be stocked with essentials like utensils and pots and pans, think about what’s missing. Here are a few suggestions on what to put on your vacation grocery list:
- Salt, Pepper and Favorite Seasonings: If you want your vacation food to taste like home, you’ll need to add the taste of home to your grocery list. A little salt and pepper go a long way in the kitchen. Your favorite seasonings can spice up any meal to your palate’s perfection.
- Olive Oil: No matter whether you’re using it to grease a pan or dress a salad, olive oil is a versatile companion in the kitchen. You won’t use a whole bottle during your vacation, so keep your eyes peeled for a small, travel-friendly bottle.
- Tin Foil: Tin or aluminum foil is another kitchen staple you might need on your vacation. Use it to line a baking pan for easy cleanup or use it to wrap up leftovers.
- Eggs: Eggs are versatile protein source. Scramble them up for a quick, tasty breakfast or use them in your favorite cookie recipe. Make vacation memories with incredible, edible eggs.
- Lemons: Brighten up your food with fresh, zingy lemons. Lemon adds a splash of citrus to your favorite chicken recipe or salad. Or refresh your water with a wedge of lemon for a tasty sip after a long day in the sun.
- Avocados: Make your morning with a slice of avocado toast. Add chunks of this favorite fruit (yes, avocado is a fruit — technically a single seed berry) to your salad. Put sliced avocado on your burger for California flair. The options are nearly endless.
- Bacon: Want to get everyone in the house up early and in a good mood? Throw some bacon on the stove and wait for their hungry eyes to appear in the kitchen.
Don’t just take our word for it. Customize your grocery list and make it unique to you.
Tips for Stocking Your Vacation Rental Kitchen
When you’re filling out your vacation grocery list, you’ll want to have a menu plan in mind. Everything from BBQ chicken with corn on the cob to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can make tasty memories when you’re traveling. Your vacation meal plan should reflect your tastes and preferences.
Other things to keep in mind when stocking your vacation rental pantry and writing out your shopping list include:
- Ask your family or travel companions what they’d like to eat on the trip: Maybe your daughter’s favorite way to cool off after a day on the beach is with a popsicle. Maybe your son prefers ice cream. As your making a vacation grocery list, think about what each person in your family enjoys eating. After all, it’s their vacation, too.
- Plan ahead: As you travel, you’ll want to take in some of the local flavor. Southwest Florida is home to some of the best restaurants in the country and you’ll want to savor everything the region has to offer. Don’t worry about cooking every night and plan ahead to enjoy some area restaurants.
- Confirm what’s in the kitchen in advance with your rental agent or owner: Will you need to bring coffee filters or K-Cup pods to enjoy your cup of joe in the morning? It’s important to know what kind of coffee maker is in the kitchen so you can add the right accoutrements to your shopping list. It’s also wise to contact the rental agent to confirm what the kitchen is stocked with as far as pots, pans, plates and utensils.
- Don’t forget about snacks: It’s easy to think about planning for your family’s three squares, but it is also important to think about snacking during the day. Vacation isn’t the time to be counting calories, so plan out your daily snack splurges. Do you love chocolate-covered almonds? Have a sweet tooth for cupcakes? No matter what your palate craves, now is the time to indulge. Don’t forget these favorites on your shopping list.
- Look online: The internet is a great resource when you’re planning a vacation. Consider checking out Pinterest to find pre-planned grocery lists and vacation menus.
How to Get Your Vacation Grocery List Delivered
Now that you have your grocery list in mind, it’s time to do your shopping. Time spent in the grocery story is time spent away from the beach or off the golf course, so consider leaving it the the pros. You’ll find a few options for grocery delivery service to make shopping simple and painless. Get your groceries delivered to your vacation rental’s front door so you can enjoy more time making memories.
One of the best things about Florida and the Southeast is Publix Super Markets. From Pub Subs to your favorite groceries, this supermarket chain makes it easy to get your groceries delivered. Publix has partnered with Instacart to make grocery delivery fast and hassle-free. From Naples to Ft. Myers to Bonita Springs, this simple service means you can have your groceries delivered to your vacation rental home with just a few clicks of the mouse. Simply create an account, fill out your online list, and wait for your groceries to arrive. Your groceries can arrive in as little as one hour.
If you’re staying on Sanibel or Captiva Island, you can also choose to have your groceries delivered via Bailey’s General Store or Jerry’s Foods.
Shipt also offers easy grocery delivery in Southwest Florida. Choose from retailers like Target, Publix, Costco and Winn Dixie. Browse online for the items on your list, submit your order, and sit back and relax. Same-day delivery is an option. Your items will be hand selected and should arrive quickly.
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can take advantage of Prime Pantry to have food and household items shipped right to your front door. Items can arrive in less than 2 days, making it easy to have staples on hand quickly. Consider placing your order in advance of your arrival so you’ll get your shipment at your vacation rental when you get there.
Make the most of your time time on the beach by making out a vacation grocery list and having your items delivered to your rental’s door. When you’re looking for some time away from the kitchen, you can also check out the best breakfast and lunch restaurants on Sanibel Island. Learn more about Royal Shell vacation rentals and start planning your dream trip.
