Peter ‘Produce Pete’ Napolitano, beloved grocer and TV icon, dies at 80

Peter “Produce Pete” Napolitano, the warm-hearted grocer, television personality, and celebrated fruits and vegetables expert, died at the age of 80 on January 26, 2026. For decades, Napolitano was a beloved fixture in New Jersey and the greater New York City area, blending practical produce advice with earnest warmth and a passion for healthy living. His legacy spans television, community engagement, and decades of advocacy for wholesome food.

Born February 23, 1945, in Bergenfield, New Jersey, Napolitano grew up deeply entrenched in the world of fresh produce. His Italian-American family operated Napolitano’s Produce, a seasonal market stall established in 1959 that became a local institution in Bergen County. As a boy he learned the business hands-on, selling fruits and vegetables alongside his father at neighborhood markets.

In 1970, he took over the family business, expanding its offerings beyond produce and building a community hub that served customers for more than five decades before closing in 2006 after 53 years.

“Produce Pete” on the air

Napolitano gained wide recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s when local television producers discovered his engaging style and deep expertise. In 1992, he began a weekly segment on WNBC’s Weekend Today in New York, where he shared tips on how to select, store, and prepare seasonal fruits and vegetables, often injecting personal stories from his childhood and family market.

Over the next 33 years, he became a Saturday morning staple for generations of viewers in the Tri-State area.

His approachable segments weren’t just about produce: they were about community, family, and the joy of eating well. He became known for his signature motto:

“If you eat right, you’re going to live right!”

He also appeared on other media platforms, taught produce-focused cooking classes at department stores like Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, and spoke at schools promoting nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

Authorship and advocacy

Beyond broadcasting, Napolitano was an accomplished author. His published works include Produce Pete’s Farmacopeia: From Apples to Zucchini, and Everything in Between, and the 2023 memoir They Call Me Produce Pete, which chronicled his life’s journey from a young market seller to a trusted culinary voice.

He and his wife, Bette, also collaborated on In the Kitchen with Bette & Produce Pete, a 2024 cookbook blending family recipes with produce wisdom.

Napolitano’s family played a central role in both his life and career. He met his wife, Bette, as a teenager; they married in 1967 and went on to raise two children and seven grandchildren.