Trevor Wilhelm/The Windsor Star
The patriotic push is on to support local, and Windsor-Essex is making it easy.
Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island has relaunched its digital passport, helping people punch their ticket to the region’s highlights and hidden gems.
The “support local” campaign is focused on what’s fresh in Essex County, promoting self-guided agri-tours and connecting people with producers of everything from cider to sourdough.
“It helps you know your community,” said Katrina Wagner with Wagner Orchards and Estate Winery, one of the stops.
“It’s a great thing to know all of these places and talk to other people. When I’m shopping locally, I get to talk to other business owners. It makes you a little bit more like a tourist in your own backyard.
“I feel like a lot of the time people forget about a lot of stuff that we have. When you’re trying to focus on shopping local, you are reminded of all these cool things.”
The W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass includes more than 60 local businesses. The free guide will help users explore Windsor-Essex with all the steps to make a locally sourced meal or buy one created with local ingredients.
There are farms with roadside stands, craft beverage producers, shops, markets, butchers, and restaurants that source only local ingredients.
“It’s always best to support local and this really connects the farm-fresh producers to locals,” said Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island.
“And local produce just tastes better.”
The aim of the digital pass is to direct people to local producers they might not have heard about, in the hopes they will keep coming back. The pass is free and does not require a download.
“It shows people in a different way what we have here,” said Wagner. “It reminds people who are local. Or, if it’s people from out of town, they get a pretty comprehensive list of places that they can go.
“It’s easier than trying to research it yourself. It’s definitely a good tool.”
Anyone who checks into one location per month will be entered into a prize draw. The monthly giveaways continue through April 2026.
Users will receive an email every month profiling the giveaway, along with recipes using local items, and exclusive offers for checking in at each location. The offers include free tastings, discounts, and bonus items with purchases.
The local tourism agency created the 10th edition of the free pass in partnership with Libro Credit Union and the 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,” said Leo Guilbeault, president of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture.
Libro Credit Union regional manager Lori Atkinson said local businesses, including farms, orchards, wineries and markets, 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,” said Atkinson. “The digital pass connects people to the incredible producers that are right in our own backyard and celebrates the value of choosing local.”
For more information about the W.E. Heart Local Digital Pass, and to register, go to weheartlocal.ca/passport.