Cassandra Hunsdon is not only the founder of her new business, The Farmer’s Daughter, but she actually is a farmer’s daughter originally from Hunsdon Farm in Willcox, Arizona, which is now part of Apple Annie’s Produce and Pumpkins in Willcox.
While she was growing up on the Hunsdon Farm with seven siblings, her mother was instrumental in teaching her how to bake. As an adult, Hunsdon enjoyed roving and working on several small family vegetable farms in Virginia for about eight years, working as an intern and then in management.
Her return to Arizona was precipitated by debilitating Lyme disease. She hoped that the low humidity and clean air would help her to heal.
Now recovering her strength, Hunsdon started her cottage business, The Farmer’s Daughter, from her home in Sonoita in January, 2020. Unfortunately, the timing coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, which set her back a few months. Finally, in October, 2020 her business was up and running.
Her love of good food and cooking along with several food sensitivities and allergies inspired Hunsdon to find her own ingredients and provide the same benefits of gluten free, local, healthy foods, with options of dairy free or vegan to her customers.
Her Farmer’s Daughter’s booth is regularly at the farmer’s market in Sierra Vista at the Veterans’ Memorial Park on Thursdays from 10 – 2. The baked staples, which rotate from week to week, include her signature flourless chocolate cake, clementine tea cake, cashew almond coffee bar, coffee cake with cinnamon streusel, apple cake, lemon drizzle cake, salted chocolate chip cookies and always granola made with oats, nuts, varieties of dried fruits baked with a syrup of olive oil, maple syrup and coconut sugar.
In Patagonia, there will be a “pop up event” coordinating with Aishah Lurry from Patagonia Flower Farm, on Saturday, February 13, 8a.m. until 11a.m. This event, the day before Valentine’s Day, will be offering flower arrangements, heart and moss wreaths made from manzanita, dried flowers, and live daffodil and tulip bulbs. Hunsdon will provide specialty Valentine cookies, flourless chocolate Valentine cake and her regular baked staples. She will also take some special orders for art, plants, and oils.
Since starting up she has focused on baked products. In addition, she delivers, provides a specialty subscription service for deliveries once or twice per month, and provides baked products for several local wineries and the Food Coop in Sierra Vista. Hunsdon also distributes and sells Pamela’s Gluten Free Flour.
The Farmer’s Daughter is registered with the Arizona Cottage Food Registration #10314, Arizona Department of Health Services.
For orders or inquiries contact Cassandra, www.farmersdaughteraz.com, 623-523-7367, or email farmersdaughteraz@gmail.com