Miami city commissioner looks to stop dumpster picking at center

Willy Gort asks city's Code Enforcement Unit to address 'dumpster diving' issues at Miami Produce Center

MIAMIMiami City Commissioner Willy Gort is outraged and is demanding change following a Local 10 Dirty Dining hidden camera investigation.

Gort said he's asked the city's Code Enforcement Unit to address "dumpster diving" issues at the Miami Produce Center.

"I will do everything possible stop it," Said Gort.

Local 10 cameras caught restaurants buying produce that was once in the dumpster.

Cameras also spotted rotting vegetables being sold on produce trucks that roam the streets of Miami.

During a month-long investigation, hidden cameras followed several people rummaging through rotting, fly and maggot infested dumpsters and remove produce. The individuals re-box and resell the goods.

Gort said it's a public health and safety issue.

"The cops tell me they go through the Center every morning and they have made arrests," Golt told Local 10's Jeff Weinsier. "Code Enforcement has cited the facility. But I'm glad you are telling me these things."

The men selling the goods refused to talk to Weinsier.

Gort said city code mandates dumpsters in and around the Miami Produce Center be locked.

But Local 10 spotted several, piled to the top with vegetables, that were wide opened.

Gort said the Miami Produce Center management has to do its part too. He said security removed people who work the dumpsters and police need to be called to remove trespassers.

"We do try to kick them out but they come back every day," said Center Manager Larry Hernandez.

The Miami Police Department, the Miami Dade Department of Health and the Florida Department of Agriculture said they are all now looking into the situation.


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