Megan Brownell’s job is baking bread.
About two months ago, Brownell, 29, launched Momma B’s Homesteading, a custom pre-order baking business in Unadilla.
“I’ve always been interested in baking,” she said. “I’ve been cooking practically my whole life, since my dad put me in the kitchen ever since I could reach a counter. And I fell in love with baking. As I experimented with different things, I’m just getting into sourdough so it’s going to be a new thing for me and I can’t wait, I’m really excited about making bread and dough. There’s something about making it. I just love it.”
Although this is her first time talking about Mama B, “we’ve been talking about it for years,” she said.
“When I moved to Unadilla[three years ago]I ended up getting chickens,” she said. “I try to use fresh eggs and fresh ingredients in everything I bring. I just finished cooking pumpkin to make pumpkin rolls and cookies.
“I created the Facebook page about a month and a half ago, but before that I was working at an elementary school (in Unadilla) and I was like, ‘Hey, I’m doing this, I’m doing that.’ I just wanted to let people know,” Brownell continued. . “It’s hard to start[a business]but I’m trying… and I ended up quitting[school]so I could focus more on this. This is my passion and I would love to continue.” Because I think it’s off. “
Mr Brownell said Mama B’s bread-based products run the gamut.
“I serve bagels. Bagels are where I really started,” she said. “Dinner rolls are my family’s favorite and we always bring dinner rolls for the holidays. Pretzels and pretzel bites, burger buns, and I love the fall menu, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin muffins, and apple cider. We just released a donut. I’m experimenting with sourdough, so I’m trying to get that out there soon and make a gluten-free sourdough.”
Orders will be prepared upon request, she said.
“I’m trying to get my name out there and get the word out because I don’t want to make a lot of stuff and waste it,” she said. “We’re really working hard because it’s the holiday season, because people like fresh things during the holiday season.”
Brownell said the initial response to Mama B has been heartwarming. Her customer base is “mainly Unadilla, because (people) have to come and pick it up,” she said.
“(Customers) really love it,” she said. “Everyone who buys something from me says, ‘Oh my God, this is so good,’ and that makes me so happy. Ever since I got together with my husband and his family, I I always bring home-made fresh things for them to try, and I’ve never had a bad reaction because I love their reactions.”
Brownell says the pretzel bites are her best seller.
“We had a vendor showdown at House of Congment last month and the pretzel bites sold out quickly,” she said.
Brownell said she wants to expand the situation.
“For the month of November, we are considering offering half a free dinner roll with every order,” she said. “Then I was thinking, too: A friend of mine is a crafter, and we used to make baskets for people.
“I’d like to set up a stall outside and I also have a garden. My plan is to carry fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs in addition to baked goods,” Brownell continued. . “That’s my dream. It’s just me and I try not to overwhelm myself, but at the same time I want to offer a lot of options and I just love doing everything.”
For more information or to place an order, search “Momma B’s Homesteading” on Facebook, call or text Brownell at 607-337-8958, or email mommabshomesteading@gmail.com.
