The Queenstown Lakes District Council laid four charges related to alleged offences under the Act against Leanne Dawn Harling, trading as Camphill Coffee on August 26.
The council appeared at the Queenstown District Court on October 20 where the Court entered a deemed not guilty plea on Ms Harding's behalf and set the matter down for a further appearance, yesterday.
Ms Harling appeared in court and represented herself, Stuff reported.
She pleaded not guilty to knowingly or recklessly selling food that did not comply with the Act and intentionally hindering or obstructing a food safety officer from exercising their powers under the Food Act between February 14 and March 20 last year.
"There's no injured party. Is that common law equity?" she told the court.
She objected to the council paying witnesses and said she had not been provided with all the disclosure evidence. She eventually trespassed the council to the property.
"I have 3000 private members who would be willing to be a witness and not be paid. I just think that's out of line. It's not honourable."
She could not be contacted for comment on Tuesday, however the Camphill Facebook page says the cafe runs under a “Private Membership Association... established under its own private authority” since May 2024.
"Membership is free and as simple as signing in upon arrival," the page said.
However, anecdotally customers have been served without a membership.
Ms Harling worked at a primary school for 23 years before opening Camphill Coffee in 2021.
The matter has now been adjourned until February 9 next year.
"As the matter is before the Court, council does not intend to make any comments on the nature of the offending, or any other matters relating to the prosecution," a council spokesperson said.
— Allied Media
