My name is Erin Lewis, and I am happy to share why and how NoNi’s Naturals started. I have been canning and preserving food with my mom since I was little. Some of the best conversations were had while sitting at the dining room table snapping beans or shelling lima beans. At times, we would even help my grandmother in the garden or with leftover vegetables that she did not want to can because her stock of preserved food was already complete.

When I decided to start the garden as an adult, at my grandparent’s house, it was more for stress relief and to make sure my family had fresh food and ingredients for their meals. I would call my mom often for help or advise for fear I was doing something wrong. The first couple of gardens didn’t produce much because of the squirrels, but it was an eventful few summers with who could collect more tomatoes! I definitely did not have the same green thumb as my grandparents, and I think the squirrels knew it!

After moving out and in with my husband’s mom, whom we miss dearly, she was looking forward to getting well and helping with the garden and all the canning. Unfortunately, she was never able to help my physically, but she is often with me in spirit when I am making some of her favorite items. Not long after her passing, I had a major health scare and was unable to do the things I loved, including activities with the kids and my husband and our first grandchild! However, we had another grandson getting ready to be born and I was not going to miss it! I would do my best to do normal day to day activities, but they were challenging. I knew gardening would be too much, but we still tried anyway. The blood clot that filled my right lung and the scar tissue it left, created many fears and a lot of anxiety. Bending over, working the ground, walking too much, carrying produce and just being outside in the heat created so much anxiety. Feeling like you cannot breathe, is a feeling no one should ever feel.

I slowly began to heal and become me. The me, that used to teach aerobics, run and be very physically active. Each day I am a work in progress, but really aren’t we all? However, it wasn’t until after the loss of our granddaughter, the eldest’s child 2nd born, that things really began. For many this sounds crazy, but for me it makes perfect sense. I woke up after a dream, a week after she passed, where she visited me. She, for some reason, looked to be about 6 years old. I was standing at the stove, stirring a pot of something I was canning. I was wearing a tan/white flannel shirt with a black apron on that said, “Noni”. (This is the name I had requested for the grandkids to call me as I have been a “bonus” mom to the kids for years, and I did not want to take away the normal Mom Mom or other special names that their moms deserved. I knew a Noni growing up and she was everyone’s Noni. I wanted to be that, Noni.) Her light blonde hair was tangled and framing her toothless grin, as she held up a jar to me, saying, “Noni, Noni can you open this?” I smiled back and said, “Oh, my silly bean wants a dilly bean? Of course!” and I opened her jar. She thanked me and ran back outside with it. I shook my head as her pale blue shorts and her white tank top with little embroidered flowers was covered in dirt from playing with her brother in the yard.

I woke up and started crying. In my mind, she was telling me she was okay. I knew at that moment I needed to turn this into a business. Sounds crazy, but it felt right! I had the name, already- Noni’s! I added Naturals because I wanted to use natural ingredients for everything.

I began a five-year journey, starting with a dream and a trademark of a name. Here we are, today. I am continuing to grow and expand. I have to thank my family and friends for their support as well as being my taste testers when I try new recipes or create my own version. Also, thank you as customers for helping make a dream come true!