Update: Healthy Family Farms' Owner Pleads Not Guilty

Sharon Palmer—who is accused of conspiracy stemming from the illegal sale of raw milk and other products—pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Wednesday, according to her attorney Matt Bromund.

Court documents also allege Palmer—who sells eggs and poultry through Healthy Family Farms every Thursday at the —"was buying thousands of dollars worth of meat, poultry and eggs from other vendors and reselling it at farmer's markets and at Rawesome, despite claims and advertising that it was raised on her farm and not fed commercial feed." 

Bromund calls these allegations "outrageous." 

"It is a total abuse of authority to use the kind of force that the government is using against this private market and small family farm," he told Patch Wednesday. "I'm looking forward to my client being completely vindicated by the judicial system in coming months." 

Palmer has been released on bail, which was set at $60,000, according to Bromund. She is expected back in court at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 6 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center for her preliminary hearing setting, he said.

Two others were charged in the criminal conspiracy case: Eugenie Bloch, 58, and James Stewart, 64. Both pleaded not guilty at their arraignment Thursday and are expected back in court Oct. 6.

Evidence suggests that co-defendant Stewart—through his business, Rawesome—illegally imported unpasteurized cow dairy products from Pennsylvania and Palmer assisted him in selling those products to area consumers at local farmers markets, according to court documents. 

Bail was set at $30,000 for Stewart, and his bail hold has been lifted, according to his attorney Freddy Sayegh. Bloch, who works for Palmer, has been released on her own recognizance.

Sayegh told Patch Tuesday that Rawesome is a private co-op free from regulation from the Department of Public Health.

"Each one of the members own and control their own products from organic fruits, vegetables, poultry and dairy—free from pesticides, growth hormones and other diseases as well as cancer products that seep into our foods daily that cause child obesity, diabetes and cancer," said Sayegh.

"In the end, Mr. Stewart will be found not guilty and vindicated of all allegations," he continued. 

As for whether or not Healthy Family Farms will be at the  Thursday, Manager, Greta Dunlap, said she is waiting to speak with her city attorney to determine if the vendor will be suspended from the market. 

Bloch's attorney could not be reached for comment. Patch will continue to follow up and report information as it becomes available. 

Editor's Note: A previous story incorrectly said that Palmer's arraignment was delayed because of erroneous information provided by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.

PATCH ASKS: Do you frequent the South Pas Farmers Market? Have you bought Healthy Family Farms products? Were you shocked to hear the news? Patch wants to hear from you. Share your comments in the box below or e-mail the editor at Kristen.Lepore@Patch.com.