Local St. John

While vacationing, I took a moment to reach out to renowned St. John's chef and local food supporter Julie Van Pelt, who runs both East West Catering and Mer Et Soleil.  I found her through a magazine article in St. John Magazine, right when I had just about given up on finding any local food scene on the small island.  Julie enthusiastically led me to Coral Bay Organic Gardens...and let me tell you, it was worth the hunt!

Set on 18-acres of lush land, this garden center and organic farm is the only one of its kind on the island.  Josephine, who owns it with her husband, was there to show us around the incredible grounds.

 (okra)

New England gardeners and farmers would be jealous to know that on St. John's they enjoy a growing season that lasts 365 days a year!

(loofah, when dried and peeled, this is what we use to scrub away in the shower- too cool!)

The farm supplies organic produce to hotels, restaurants and private chefs on both St. John's and the neighboring St. Thomas.  With the productivity of the land, it is no wonder that they are able to provide such volume.  The small farmstand on site featured a fridge packed full with interesting greens and aromatic herbs.  My mom and I both agreed that it made us crave a big ole' flavorful salad right then and there.

In addition to the farm, Coral Bay Gardening Center also has a nursery component, with open-air greenhouse, after open-air greenhouse of amazing tropical plants.  If I lived in a place as lush as this, I could see getting super into gardening!  However, when the ground is covered in snow for half the year, I lose my enthusiasm!

A huge thank you to Julie (first picture) and Josephine (second picture) for an amazing afternoon!