Our Story

I went from a poor kid in the projects to a first-generation college graduate. While in law school, I studied in Japan and developed a fascination with their food industry, specifically, their vending. Fast forward to the COVID era, I was living in the West End of Louisville, KY, a food desert, where no grocer would deliver to me. That was my breaking point.

I felt that no matter how many goals I accomplished, degrees I obtained, statistics I debunked, I was still that poor Black kid in line at the food pantry.

No one should feel insecurity or shame in obtaining nutritious food. With the same determination I applied to shatter all the glass ceilings beneath me, I am now applying to bring a Japanese inspired solution to an American problem- food deserts.

‍This fight to end food deserts is personal.

By Us.

While I was in law school, I earned a scholarship to study in Japan. While there, I fell in love with onigiri!

Onigiri was sold in multiple places including vending machines in Japan. Onigiri is a delicious ball of rice with salmon or other items in the center, beautifully wrapped in seaweed called Nori.

In my short time in Japan, I became overwhelmingly fascinated by the vending machines seemingly on every city block! My fascination mostly stemmed from the products sold in the vending machines - Japanese vending machines have the capacity to sell hot meals, fresh fruits, fresh squeezed juices, etc.

These vending machines will allow people living in food deserts to have access to nutritious snacks, meals, and drinks right outside their home on their sidewalk.

Nori is bringing ultra modern vending machines to your neighborhoods, metro areas, and your favorite businesses.