Tourism Windsor Essex Promotes Farm Fresh All Year Long
W.E. Heart Local Showcases Fresh In Windsor Essex
Digital Pass Unveiled to Further The “Support Local” Movement in partnership with Libro Credit Union and Essex County Federation of Agriculture
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island relaunched the W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass, a program that provides locals and visitors alike the opportunity to learn more about the agri-tourism scene in the Windsor Essex region, and support local while doing so at www.weheartlocal.ca.
Now more than ever people are being more aware of where their food is being sourced and choosing to support local and Canadian-owned companies, and the best way to connect to local growers and producers is with the W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass.
This free guide will help users explore the region with all the steps to help create a locally-sourced meal – or purchase one created using locally-sourced ingredients. The 60+ stops include: farms with roadside stands; craft beverage producers; shops, markets and butchers brimming with local produce; restaurants that are sourcing all their ingredients locally.
“Windsor Essex is known as a foodie destination, and our partnership with the Essex County Federation of Agriculture and Libro Credit Union on the W.E. Heart Local Program helps emphasize the importance of what our local growers and producers means to the food and drink scene in our region” said Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island. “By having one of the longest growing seasons in Canada, we are truly blessed with a diverse offering of produce during all growing season. Everyday, our farmers and producers provide authentic, tasty ingredients to locals and visitors alike. With the use of a digital W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass, consumers can go on a unique journey through Windsor Essex, tasting the best of what we have to offer all year long.”
The digital pass is free and requires no download to use. Once users have registered, they can check in at any of the 60+ participating locations while they take a self-guided tour across the region. This year’s incentive to explore includes a monthly giveaway highlighting our local partners and their offerings. Each month users will receive a digital digest direct to their email profiling the giveaway, plus locally sourced recipes using those items as well as exclusive offers available when they check-in at each location including free tastings, discounts and bonus items with purchase.
For checking-in at one location per month users will be in the draw, and giveaways will happen monthly through April 2026, which means partners in the program can see visitors all year long.
“The Essex County Federation of Agriculture (ECFA) is excited to partner on the 10th edition of the W.E. Heart Local campaign. This partnership with Tourism Windsor Essex and sponsorship from Libro Credit Union affords ECFA the opportunity to market to a new audience and profile our partners in a unique way” said Leo Guilbeault, President Essex County Federation of Agriculture. “Our vision to connect consumers and farmers continues with this digital pass which gives users all the details to plan a visit to the county and enjoy our plentiful products grown and produced locally.”
Joining forces with Tourism Windsor Essex and ECFA in this program is a strategic community alliance with Libro Credit Union.
“Libro Credit Union has deep roots in agriculture and has been a proud supporter of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture (ECFA) and Tourism Windsor Essex, for many years,” said Lori Atkinson, Regional Manager at Libro Credit Union. “At Libro, we believe in the power of local business. From farms and orchards to wineries and markets, these businesses are the backbone of our communities and local economy. That’s why supporting Tourism Windsor Essex’s W.E. Heart Local program is such a natural fit. The digital pass connects people to the incredible producers that are right in our own backyard and celebrates the value of choosing local.”
The partnership was celebrated with a W.E. Heart Local Pop Up Farmers Market at the Libro Credit Union Essex branch, featuring partners including Raymont’s Berries (LaSalle), Simpson’s Orchard (Leamington) and Walnut Grove Bed & Breakfast (Essex). Visitors had the chance to shop local and register for their W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass on-site and the chance to win gifts from Lee & Maria’s (Kingsville).
Registration for the W.E Heart Local Digital Pass is available now at www.weheartlocal.ca/passport.
