W.E. Heart Local Returns to Celebrate Ontario’s Local Food Week

As Ontario celebrates from June 1st through the 7th, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island is encouraging residents and visitors alike to support local growers, producers, markets, and culinary businesses through the relaunch of the W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass in partnership with the Essex County Federation of Agriculture and Libro Credit Union.

Celebrated annually across the province, Local Food Week highlights the importance of choosing Ontario-grown and Ontario-made products while supporting the farmers, food producers, and agricultural businesses that help drive local economies and communities. In Windsor Essex, home to one of Canada’s longest growing seasons, the W.E. Heart Local Program provides a direct connection to the people and places behind the region’s vibrant agri-tourism and culinary scene.

Available for free at www.weheartlocal.ca, the W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass features more than 60 local stops throughout Windsor Essex including roadside stands, orchards, farmers markets, wineries, craft beverage producers, restaurants, retailers, and farm-to-table experiences. The pass helps users create their own self-guided culinary adventure while connecting directly with the people and places that shape the region’s food and agriculture story.

“Local Food Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the incredible growers, producers, and culinary partners that help define Windsor Essex as one of Ontario’s premier food destinations,” said Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex and CEO, Invest WindsorEssex. “The continued partnership with the Essex County Federation of Agriculture and Libro Credit Union allows us to shine a spotlight on the importance of supporting local while creating authentic tourism experiences that connect people directly to the source of our region’s flavours.”

PHOTO Left to right: Lori Atkinson Regional Manager Libro Credit Union, Josh Mailloux President Essex County Federation of Agriculture, Jason Toner Vice President of Marketing and Communications Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island

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Last year marked the highest engagement for the W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass to date, with nearly 1.4k users and close to 45k website page views as consumers increasingly looked to support local businesses and explore locally sourced food and drink experiences.

The free digital pass requires no app download and gives users access to featured local partners, exclusive offers, seasonal recipes, giveaways, and curated inspiration throughout the year. Users can check in at participating locations as they explore the region and discover new local favourites.

“With nearly 1,400 users engaging with the pass last year, we continue to see strong interest from both residents and visitors looking for meaningful ways to support local businesses,” added Gordon Orr. “The W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass makes it easy to discover new experiences, visit local farms and markets, and take advantage of exclusive offers while exploring Windsor Essex one stop at a time.”

The relaunch was celebrated with a W.E. Heart Local Pop-Up Market hosted at the Libro Credit Union Essex branch, featuring local partners: Bees & Bloom, Carolinia Cider Co., Eh Oh Farms, Raymont’s Berries, Simpson Orchards, The Fruit Wagon. Visitors had the opportunity to shop local, meet participating partners, and register for the digital pass on-site.

“The Essex County Federation of Agriculture is proud to continue our partnership on the W.E. Heart Local program and celebrate the incredible diversity of agriculture throughout Windsor Essex,” said Josh Mailloux, President of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture. “This initiative helps connect consumers directly with local farms, growers, and producers while encouraging support for businesses that play an important role in our local economy and tourism industry. We thank both Tourism Windsor Essex and Libro Credit Union for making this program a success.”

“Supporting local food and agriculture is about more than making a purchase—it’s about investing in the people, businesses, and communities that help our region thrive,” said Lori Atkinson, Regional Director of Libro Credit Union. “The W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass makes it easier for residents and visitors to discover the incredible farms, markets, food producers, and culinary experiences that make Windsor Essex unique. Libro is proud to partner on an initiative that strengthens local connections, celebrates entrepreneurship, and encourages people to support the businesses that contribute so much to our region’s economic vitality.”

Registration for the free W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass is available now at www.weheartlocal.ca/passport.