Annie's Naturally Bakery is a family affair founded on the experience of four generations of Italian bakers. Joe's father moved to the United States in 1952 from Boiano, in the Molise provence of Italy.  Here he met Joe's mother when he started work in her father's bakery.  Together the Ritota's had three bakeries in the New Jersey area.   Like his mother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him, Joe worked in his family's bakeries from an early age.   When the family moved to Greenville, SC in the late 80's, they formed Boiano Bakery, a large wholesale operation.  Annie & Joe met when Joe delivered bread to her health food restaurant in Greenville, and the rest is history.

Annie's Naturally Bakery started in Western NC where Joe baked bread for friends out of his home oven.  More and more people called him for bread, and eventually a local restaurant asked if he would consider selling to them on a regular basis.  Annie & Joe baked out of their garage bakery for three years until the business had grown so much that an expansion was necessary. They moved the operation to downtown Sylva where they opened their retail store, and the business has been growing ever since.

With the national organic trend and the large number of local restaurants and health food stores that recognize the value of healthier breads, cookies and pastries, the name Annie's Naturally Bakery became established across Western North Carolina.  The bakery now employs over twenty people and the Bakery/Cafe is a regular meeting place for the residents and tourists of Sylva, NC.

Joe is the first generation of bakers in his family born and raised here in the United States.  He still follows the Old World style of his great-grandfather, using only the best ingredients and long fermentation recipes.  Annie's Bakery truly combines the best of both Annie & Joe's experiences - delicious European style breads & pastries baked with organic and all-natural ingredients.  Annie’s Bakery would not be where we are today without the love, support, and financial assistance we have received from our families, friends, and community members.  And we are truly grateful for each and every customer – without you there would be no bakery!  Thanks to everyone for giving us a place to do what we love. Please join us when you are in the area - we look forward to meeting you!