On Monday, January 26, 2026, Peter Napolitano, popularly known as Produce Pete, passed away at the age of 80. Napolitano was a celebrated television figure cherished by audiences across the New York region.
Napolitano was known for his Saturday morning segments on Weekend Today in New York, where for over three decades, he shared his love for fresh fruits and vegetables. He provided practical tips on choosing and preparing produce, earning a loyal following throughout the area.
The announcement of his passing was made by Steven Bognar, the Managing Editor of WNBC-TV, via the social media platform X. The cause of death was not specified.
Amy Morris, Senior Vice President of News for NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47, stated, “For more than 30 years, WNBC viewers tuned in on Saturday mornings to watch ‘Produce Pete’ offer his fruit and vegetable recommendations as well as cooking tips on ‘Weekend Today in New York’.” She noted that Napolitano was a treasured member of their station family, and viewers felt the same connection—whether at their Health Expo, Feeding Our Families food drives, or at various farmers’ markets throughout New Jersey where he was always entirely at ease.
Napolitano was born on February 23, 1945, in Bergenfield, New Jersey. He spent his life deeply involved in the family produce business. His father, an immigrant from Italy, and he established Napolitano’s Produce in 1959, a store that would become a staple in Bergen County for many years. Napolitano managed the family produce store for more than 50 years before it shut down in 2006 after 53 years of operation.
The market was more than a simple business for Napolitano—it was a place where he cultivated his expertise and genuine passion for fresh produce that would later captivate TV viewers. He met his wife, Bette, at the age of 16, and they married in 1967. Their partnership extended beyond their family life, with Bette later joining him in disseminating their culinary knowledge to the public.
Napolitano’s television career started in 1992 with his segment on NBC New York, where he spent 33 years on air. His Saturday morning shows provided viewers with advice on everything from picking ripe melons to preparing seasonal vegetables. His friendly style and extensive knowledge made complex topics accessible to home cooks of all skill levels.
Each segment ended with his iconic catchphrase: “If you eat right, you’re going to live right!” This simple mantra embodied his belief in the link between quality produce and overall well-being, a message that resonated with generations of viewers.
Despite his long-standing presence on local television, Napolitano remained modest about his success. He took pride in his immigrant roots and the journey from selling produce with his father to becoming a trusted voice in kitchens across the region.
Napolitano authored several books where he shared his expertise with readers, starting with “Produce Pete’s Farmacopeia” published in 1994. This comprehensive guide covered fruits and vegetables from apples to zucchini, providing detailed information about selection, storage, and preparation.
In 2023, he published his memoir “They Call Me Produce Pete,” giving readers a personal glimpse into his life and career. The following year, in 2024, he and Bette co-authored “In The Kitchen With Bette & Produce Pete,” a cookbook that blended family recipes with produce wisdom gathered over decades in the business.
Napolitano also imparted his knowledge through practical instruction, conducting cooking classes at prestigious retailers such as Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. These classes allowed participants to learn directly from his expertise and see his techniques first-hand.
Napolitano was dedicated to promoting healthy eating among younger generations as well. He visited schools throughout Bergen County and the Englewood area, sharing his love for produce and encouraging students to adopt good eating habits early in life. These educational visits reflected his belief that teaching children about nutrition could have enduring effects on their health and well-being.
Napolitano balanced his television appearances with community involvement throughout his career. He regularly attended farmers’ markets across New Jersey, interacting directly with the people who watched his Saturday morning segments. These visits allowed him to maintain personal connections with his viewers, treating them as neighbors rather than distant audience members.
Napolitano’s influence on local television and food culture in the New York metropolitan area extended across multiple generations. Parents who watched his segments as young adults later introduced their own children to Produce Pete, establishing a multigenerational following that attested to the enduring appeal of his straightforward advice and authentic personality.
Napolitano’s expertise was rooted in real, hands-on experience rather than formal culinary training. Having worked in the produce business for over 50 years, Napolitano had a depth of knowledge that could only be acquired through daily interaction with fresh fruits and vegetables, learning their seasons, recognizing quality indicators, and discovering the best preparation methods.
The longevity of his television career—over three decades on the same station—was a remarkable feat in contemporary broadcasting. In an era marked by frequent personnel changes and format shifts, Napolitano remained a steady presence on Saturday mornings, building trust with viewers through consistency and dependability.
Napolitano is survived by his wife, Bette, their two children, and seven grandchildren. His family occasionally joined him during his television segments, sharing in the joy he found in educating others about food and healthy living.
