Dinner time!

Decision 6: Dinner time!

It’s a rainy Tuesday night – you ate last night’s leftovers for lunch and now you have no plan for dinner. Where are you headed?

  • ⏹️Square

    You head to the local market that just opened in a revitalized plaza that has a few food trucks parked nearby. You pick up a few groceries from the market and 2-for-1 tacos from one of the food trucks before grabbing a spot to eat on the all-season heated patio under string lights.

  • ⏺️Circle

    You jump on transit to meet friends at the new food hall in a place in the city that’s starting to feel like a new downtown. With over 20 vendors offering foods from around the world, there’s something for everyone at every price point. The communal tables create a welcoming space for gathering.

  • 🔼Triangle

    You walk/roll to the corner store a few blocks over that sells fresh produce and prepared meals. You pick up your favourite Chicken Ceaser bowl. The shopkeeper lives in the neighbourhood and always has good meal ideas and locally made desserts.


Making informed decisions

The types of food options available and how easily you can reach them depend on how we plan and design our city. As Kitchener grows, so do the ways we shop, eat, and connect. From neighbourhood stores to main street markets to larger food destinations, access to food isn’t just about what’s on your plate — it’s about supporting the local economy, creating spaces for connection, and making sure we can all meet our daily needs close to home.

Key considerations include:

Having food options nearby makes everyday life easier. Access to groceries and prepared food close to where people live supports health, independence, and quality of life, especially for families, older adults, and people without access to a car.

Grocery stores, takeout counters, markets, and cafés create jobs, support local entrepreneurs, and help money stay in the community. Providing a mix of spaces—large and small, formal and informal—helps meet the needs of different business types and customer preferences.

Food brings people together. Whether it’s a spontaneous conversation with a stranger at a communal table, a BBQ with neighbours at the park, or a cozy lunch with friends, spaces where people eat can also be places where they connect. When these spaces are welcoming, accessible, and designed for all seasons, they help foster social life and belonging.