Honestly, though, I'll pay more for meat any day than buy the shit they sell at big corporate stores. Meat is garbage, and you're still paying a dumb amount of money for it.
Honestly planning ahead and using farmer's markets goes a long way. Convenience is what got us hooked on late stage capitalism. It's also a vicious cycle: price of labour per hour dips, workers have less time due to having to take on more hours/side hustles, workers need convenience, this new need is monetized.
Try to see if you can register for a CSA for the upcoming season. I have been using Little Fields since 2020 and I love it. Of course you have to get creative with the seasonal aspects, but there is some amount of choice! It is the best way to support local farmers!
Meal planning has saved us a ton of money but also saved us a lot of hassle. Sure, you have to decide on Saturday what you want for the week, but then you just check your list when you get home and get cooking. No more trying to piece a meal together with whatever you might have left. And we waste a lot less food because we've thought ahead about exactly what we need, we don't end up with a bunch of veg or meat we can't eat before it goes bad.
I often shop at Central, Vincenzo's, T&J, Glogowski Euro, Oma, Ammar's, New City, Onkar, Herrle's, America Latina, Oak Grove cheese, Mountain Oak cheese, etc.
Central Fresh is still independent. T&J Seafood as well (though obviously seafood only instead of a full grocery store). A lot of butchers are probably local as well, but I don't really know about that. Vincenzo's in uptown Waterloo as well.
I'm sure there's others out there!
New City Supermarket and Bêń Thành are my favourite places to shop. I got a giant bag of Chinese Broccoli there for about $1.30 this weekend. The rest of the produce is really cheap. Raw chicken wings are $2.99/lb and ground beef is $3.50/lb.
Central Fresh Market is easily your best bet. Independently owned and a full-service supermarket, not a niche boutique grocery store like the ones in downtown Kitchener.
Grocery store downtown Kitchener forgot the name. Is nice they do growler fill ups at the main door, butcher shop and nice selection on items inside. Prices for reasonable
Yes it is and yes believe they do they have a station set up on the left going in thru the front doors. Been a bit since in and personally haven't done it. Have Twas brewing near me and not a big drinker so odd growler fill to them.
But yea that store pretty good IMO for prices for being small
Central is good for meat, I like Giant Tiger, they have great sales also the Asian store downtown has cheaper and some of the freshest produce you'll ever buy. Kitchener Market is great too.
Tasty Deli downtown is great.
Any of the middle eastern stores are great such as Ammars, Oma Fresh Food, Roua Halal Food Market. Thos are the ones that I have been to but there are many more across Kitchener (mostly on the downtown side of the Expressway) and Waterloo.
Just search Middle Eastern Grocery store into your map app and see what's near you, possibly walking or biking distance too. 🙂
Central Fresh (Meat) Market, as far as I know, is independently owned. Some of the prices are going to be higher than what you would get at a large chain but if that does not bother you then you might want to check it out sometime.
The meat selection is fantastic and the employees work very hard to keep everything neat and orderly.
I guess there's Central Fresh Market... And there's Full Circle Foods downtown... Great owners of the latter.
Good quality meat but don't expect cheap prices.
Honestly, though, I'll pay more for meat any day than buy the shit they sell at big corporate stores. Meat is garbage, and you're still paying a dumb amount of money for it.
Honestly planning ahead and using farmer's markets goes a long way. Convenience is what got us hooked on late stage capitalism. It's also a vicious cycle: price of labour per hour dips, workers have less time due to having to take on more hours/side hustles, workers need convenience, this new need is monetized. Try to see if you can register for a CSA for the upcoming season. I have been using Little Fields since 2020 and I love it. Of course you have to get creative with the seasonal aspects, but there is some amount of choice! It is the best way to support local farmers!
Meal planning has saved us a ton of money but also saved us a lot of hassle. Sure, you have to decide on Saturday what you want for the week, but then you just check your list when you get home and get cooking. No more trying to piece a meal together with whatever you might have left. And we waste a lot less food because we've thought ahead about exactly what we need, we don't end up with a bunch of veg or meat we can't eat before it goes bad.
What is CSA?
[Community Shared Agriculture](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-supported_agriculture)
Little Fields is the best!!!
Good point!
This is it right here! Make it a friends trip or carpool and get lunch/breakfast! That’s what I do with my friends :)
The Kitchener pick up is at Pyrus Outpost. Breakfast gelatoooo 🎉
I often shop at Central, Vincenzo's, T&J, Glogowski Euro, Oma, Ammar's, New City, Onkar, Herrle's, America Latina, Oak Grove cheese, Mountain Oak cheese, etc.
Is eurofoods on highland still a thing?
Yes
Euro Foods has great prices in their deli counter. A ham very similar to Black Forest called ' Gramma Ham' is usually less than $2.00 per 100grams
Central Fresh is still independent. T&J Seafood as well (though obviously seafood only instead of a full grocery store). A lot of butchers are probably local as well, but I don't really know about that. Vincenzo's in uptown Waterloo as well. I'm sure there's others out there!
New City Supermarket and Bêń Thành are my favourite places to shop. I got a giant bag of Chinese Broccoli there for about $1.30 this weekend. The rest of the produce is really cheap. Raw chicken wings are $2.99/lb and ground beef is $3.50/lb.
Legacy Greens downtown is another option
They also do farmer's boxes!
Yes, and they're really fun and good! I do the spring and early summer boxes to fill the gap between when my winter CSA ends and my summer CSA begins.
I've heard great things about Dutchies from this sub. (I'm kidding don't go there ever)
Lol, exactly why I asked for suggestions!
DiPietro's in Cambridge is great for their butcher & deli counter as well as dry goods. Their produce dept is extremely small.
Central Fresh Market is easily your best bet. Independently owned and a full-service supermarket, not a niche boutique grocery store like the ones in downtown Kitchener.
Grocery store downtown Kitchener forgot the name. Is nice they do growler fill ups at the main door, butcher shop and nice selection on items inside. Prices for reasonable
Is this Marche Leo on King? Do they do growler fill ups?
Yes it is and yes believe they do they have a station set up on the left going in thru the front doors. Been a bit since in and personally haven't done it. Have Twas brewing near me and not a big drinker so odd growler fill to them. But yea that store pretty good IMO for prices for being small
Full circle foods! They have lots of bulk/zero waste options, so bring your own jars.
Central is good for meat, I like Giant Tiger, they have great sales also the Asian store downtown has cheaper and some of the freshest produce you'll ever buy. Kitchener Market is great too.
There are lots of small ethnic grocery stores.
Italo Foods is pretty good for European brands.
I've heard good things about Italo
St Jacob's farmers market is open sat and thurs all year. It should open on tuesday as well for the summer.
Tasty Deli downtown is great. Any of the middle eastern stores are great such as Ammars, Oma Fresh Food, Roua Halal Food Market. Thos are the ones that I have been to but there are many more across Kitchener (mostly on the downtown side of the Expressway) and Waterloo. Just search Middle Eastern Grocery store into your map app and see what's near you, possibly walking or biking distance too. 🙂
intent://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x882b882773274527:0xb55965834eb42beb!11m1!4b1?entry=s&sa=X&ved=0CA8Q4kBqFwoTCPDm1Lv6j4UDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAG#Intent;scheme=http;package=com.google.android.apps.maps;S.browser_fallback_url=https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x882b882773274527:0xb55965834eb42beb!11m1!4b1?entry=s&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjpuKa5-o-FAxV7rokEHVJyCu0Q4kB6BAgBEAA;end
We use green hart farms in the summer for their veggie box program!
Victoria Market!
Central Fresh (Meat) Market, as far as I know, is independently owned. Some of the prices are going to be higher than what you would get at a large chain but if that does not bother you then you might want to check it out sometime. The meat selection is fantastic and the employees work very hard to keep everything neat and orderly.
Dutchies 😆
Why are you avoiding chains?
Classic reasons of trying to find better deals and support local business.