Fresh Finds & Local Vibes: Discover W.E. Heart Local
Get ready to fall in love with local all over again! The 2026 W.E. Heart Local program has officially launched, and it’s your ultimate passport to the freshest finds, tastiest treats, and most authentic experiences in Windsor Essex. Whether you’re a seasoned farmers’ market explorer, a first-time local foodie, or a lover of all things handmade and homegrown, W.E. Heart Local is your go-to guide to experiencing the vibrant agricultural bounty of our region.
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Why Shop Local?
When you choose to shop local, you’re doing more than just picking up ingredients for dinner or grabbing a weekend treat. You’re investing in your community. Every dollar spent at a local market, farm stand, vineyard, or artisan shop directly supports Windsor Essex growers, producers and small business owners. It keeps jobs here at home, strengthens our regional economy, and helps preserve the rural charm and culinary heritage that make our region truly special.
Get ready to shop local and support some of your favourite W.E. Heart Local partners at our Pop-Up Market happening Thursday June 4th from 10am to 3pm at the Libro Credit Union in the Town of Essex.
This one-day-only event is a great chance to stock up on fresh, delicious, locally grown produce and handcrafted goods from these amazing vendors:
- Bees & Bloom
- Carolinia Cider Co.
- Eh Oh Farm
- Raymont’s Berries
- Simpson Orchards
- The Fruit Wagon
Support your community, meet your local makers, and enjoy the tastes of the season—we can’t wait to see you there!
Meet Your Farm-Fresh Guide: The W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass
W.E. Heart Local makes it easier than ever to explore and support local with our free digital pass. This interactive mobile passport helps you navigate the region’s rich network of:
- Farm stands and produce markets like Brandner Farms Organics, Denver’s Homestead, Downtown Windsor Farmers Market, Elaine’s Garden Market, Kranicz Orchards & Windmill Ridge, Mailloux’s Farm Fresh, Simpson Orchards and Stonehill Estates Farm Shop
- U-pick orchards and berry patches like Meleg’s Lakeview Orchard and Raymont’s Berries
- Wineries and vineyards like Aleksander Estate Winery, Black Bear Farms, Oxley Estate Winery or Pelee Island Winery and Pelee Island Winery Pavillion and Sanson Estate Winery
- Craft breweries, cideries and distilleries like Carolinia Cider Co. and Cured Craft Brewing Co.
- Meat and fish producers and shops like Bradt’s Butcher Block, Butcher of Kingsville, Dockside Fisheries, Hylander Farms, Rare Butcher Shop, Steve Green Foods and Trimble Farms Cattle Company
- Artisan and handmade markets like Green Heart Kitchen, Hawksview Honey and Schmitchen’s Farm Market
- Agri-tourism destinations like Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens, Lee & Maria’s and Sauve’s Country Market
Use the pass to plan your seasonal shopping trips, map out weekend adventures, or make a summer bucket list with your family. No app is needed — simply register online at weheartlocal.ca, and you’ll get your personalized digital passport sent directly to your inbox.
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Exclusive Perks for Passholders
Every month, passholders receive an exclusive email update packed with:
- Special offers and discounts at participating locations like Taylor Fish Company where you can upgrade your fries to a poutine on any 1 dinner purchase
- Seasonal recipes using locally grown ingredients like Sun Parlor Honey
- Spotlights on local growers, makers, and must-visit destinations like The Little Cider Company and Bees and Bloom Wellness
- The chance to win one of our curated monthly prize packs featuring Vivace Estate Winery and Ruscom Maple Farms
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What’s in Season Now?
One of the best parts of shopping local is discovering what’s in season. Our W.E. Heart Local site features handy icons and listings so you can quickly find what’s ripe and ready each month:
- May & June: Asparagus from Wrightland Farm, rhubarb, strawberries
- July: Cherries, blueberries, sweet corn from Willow Tree Market
- August: Peaches, tomatoes from Sunrise Farms, zucchini, plums
- September & October: Apples from Neumiller Orchards, squash, grapes, pumpkins
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From roadside farm stands brimming with just-picked berries to family-run orchards where you can harvest your own peaches, every season offers a new reason to get out and explore Windsor Essex.
A Region Full of Flavour
Windsor Essex isn’t just about what you eat — it’s about where and how you experience it. With the W.E. Heart Local pass, you can:
- Taste farm-fresh at a country stand at Durocher’s Petite Cote Produce or Pretli’s Green Acre Farm
- Sip a crisp Sauvignon Blanc next to a vineyard in bloom at Colio Estate Winery, Cooper’s Hawk Vineyards, Muscedere Vineyards or Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery
- Pick your own wildflowers from a blooming field at Colour Pop Flowers or Eh Oh Farm
- Shop handmade jams, candles, and baked goods from local artisans at The Farm House Market and Tecumseh Farmers Market
- Raise a glass at GL Heritage Brewing Company, Kingscoast Estate Winery, The Goose Kitchen & Bar, Viewpointe Estate Winery or Wagner Orchards & Estate Winery
- Meet the farmers who grow your food and hear their stories at Ewe Dell Family Farms, George Whaley & Sons, Howling Hound Farms and The Fruit Wagon
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This program connects locals and visitors alike with the people and places that bring flavour and heart to our region. Whether you’re gathering picnic supplies, searching for the perfect hostess gift, or just craving something homemade, W.E. Heart Local makes it easy to discover it all.
How to Get Started
- Register for your free digital passport at weheartlocal.ca
- Browse the interactive map to find participating locations
- Check in when you visit each stop
- Collect rewards and entries for monthly prizes
- Repeat all season long!
The more you explore, the more you earn — and the more you support the local economy and community in the process.
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This year, taste your way through the seasons, meet the makers behind your favourite treats, and rediscover the magic of buying fresh and local with the W.E. Heart Local program.
Sign up, shop local, and show your heart for Windsor Essex.
Visit weheartlocal.ca and start your farm-fresh journey today!
