​St. Thomas is the perfect place to shop farm to table essentials. The area has a wide variety of markets, stalls, and farms that offer fresh produce, baked goods, meat, dairy, and cupboard staples. Shopping locally is easier than you might think. Follow me through a day at the markets and see all the goods I pick up to create my own market basket composed of products that are $10 or less.

The small village of Sparta is just a 15 minute drive away, housing many small treasures including a historical tea house, two museums, lavender farm, an infamous candle and fudge shop, and many local artists. Sparta is the perfect way to spend a summer day walking down its main strip and browsing the stores and viewing their historical neighborhood. 

​St. Thomas is surrounded by lush forests, beautiful hiking trails, public parks, and houses Dalewood Conservation Area. All this natural space is perfect for forest bathing and other nature wellness practices. Take part in mindfulness and strengthening your connection to nature right here in St. Thomas 🌿🌳

I grew up with a German mother who made calendula oil in our kitchen—simple olive oil infused with dried calendula flowers. It was our family remedy for sunburns, bug bites, and irritated skin. That golden oil remains an important part of my formulations today.

Try delicious foods from around the world this February.

Global Flavours returns for its sixth year, inviting the community to celebrate the incredible cultural diversity of St. Thomas and Elgin County. This month‑long culinary adventure, created in partnership with Railway City Tourism, Elgin County Tourism, and the St. Thomas-Elgin Local Immigration Partnership (STELIP), highlights the restaurants, bakeries, and cafés that bring global tastes to our region.

You’re sitting at the table, the hum of conversation wraps around you, glasses clink softly, the scent of fresh herbs roasting in the kitchen drifts your way. The craft cocktail you ordered is glowing under the warm, moody lighting. Your first sip is bright and fresh, with a hint of Ontario berries on your tongue, setting the stage for what’s to come.
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You hear “oh wow, that looks amazing,” from the guests that can’t help but stare. You look at your date, eyes widened as your server sets down a medium rare, dry-aged steak. The scent tempts you, but the seared crust seals the deal. You pick up your steak knife, secretly proud of the one you chose; now it’s just you and that perfect first bite. The knife slides through effortlessly, revealing the tender, rich interior. But what you’re tasting isn’t just a perfectly cooked steak — it’s the story of Ontario farmers and a kitchen committed to local ingredients.

​One of Ontario’s most unique music festivals—where families and friends meet on the farm—returns for its fifth year this summer. Middle River Music Fest takes place Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Common Ground Farm, offering a day of local music, land-based connection, and family-friendly activities just outside of St. Thomas.

Described by past attendees as calming, comfortable, and the highlight of their summer, Middle River Music Fest celebrates local music and food systems. It's a festival where you’re not just in the crowd—you’re part of the community.

Founded by Amanda DeVries and Gabe Fontana, the festival began with a simple but powerful idea: to give artists a stage and bring something meaningful to this little corner of Southwestern Ontario. Five years later, that idea has grown into an annual celebration of music, local food, and togetherness—all held on a working organic vegetable farm operated by Amanda's husband, Chris DeVries.

Taco House Co: Where Every Bite Tells a Story

If you've ever sat down at Taco House Co. in St. Thomas and taken that first bite of a soft corn tortilla, warm and fragrant, you've tasted more than food—you've tasted memory.

For owner Aurora Alcocer, food has always been more than a meal. It's a link to home. A rhythm. A ritual.

She grew up in Mexico eating tortillas with every meal, sometimes freshly made, sometimes wrapped around slow-cooked meats like barbacoa. Her dad would wake up before sunrise on Sundays, head out to a local street stand, and return with bags of barbacoa and warm tortillas. That smell would pull everyone from their bed to the kitchen table. It's those kinds of memories that shaped her menu—and her mission

There's something comforting about the smell of garlic, spice, and warmth drifting through the air as you walk down a quieter stretch of downtown St. Thomas. It's a scent that feels like home, even if you're not quite sure why. And if you follow it, chances are you'll find yourself at the doorstep of The Clay Oven—a restaurant that, while still relatively new to the local food scene, feels like it's always been here.