About: Tillie Lewis

Tillie Ehrlich-Weisberg Lewis (born Myrtle Ehrlich; July 13, 1901 - April 30, 1977), was a highly successful entrepreneur and leader in the mid 20th century food packing industry. She was an early promoter of the Italian San Marzano tomato to the Stockton, California area and established tomato and multiple agricultural products canning in both the San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Her company became the fifth largest canning business in the United States by 1950. She changed hiring practices during the 1930s Great Depression by inviting people of all races, gender, and faith into her workforce. Tillie brought the first diet and diet products approved by the American Medical Association into grocery stores and high-end hotel menus, the Tasti-Diet.