Peter Napolitano, affectionately named Produce Pete by his New York audience, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the age of 80.
Over a span of more than three decades, Napolitano was a mainstay on the Weekend Today show in New York, where his Saturday morning segments on fresh fruits and vegetables won him a dedicated regional following. He offered tips on how to choose and prepare produce.
The announcement of Napolitano’s passing was made by Steven Bognar, Managing Editor of WNBC-TV, on social media platform X. The cause of death was not revealed.
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.’ He was a cherished member of our station family and viewers loved meeting him at various events like their Health Expo, Feeding Our Families food drives, and numerous farmers’ markets throughout New Jersey.”
Napolitano, born on February 23, 1945, in Bergenfield, New Jersey, spent his childhood involved in the family’s produce business. His father, an immigrant from Italy, and he established Napolitano’s Produce in 1959. The store remained a Bergen County staple for decades until it closed in 2006, with Napolitano at the helm for over 50 years.
More than a business, Napolitano’s market was his training ground, where he cultivated a genuine appreciation for fresh produce that he later shared with television viewers. He met his wife, Bette, at the age of 16, and the couple, who wed in 1967, later worked together to impart their culinary knowledge to the public.
Napolitano initiated his television career in 1992 on NBC New York. His Saturday morning segments, spanning 33 years, guided viewers on topics ranging from choosing ripe melons to preparing seasonal vegetables, making intricate topics easily understandable for home cooks.
His segments concluded with his signature phrase: “If you eat right, you’re going to live right!” This simple slogan encapsulated his belief in the link between high-quality produce and overall health, striking a chord with viewers across generations.
Despite his television popularity, Napolitano remained grounded, often speaking proudly of his immigrant heritage and his journey from selling produce with his father to becoming a trusted voice in regional kitchens.
Napolitano authored several books sharing his expertise, beginning with “Produce Pete’s Farmacopeia” in 1994. This guide covered everything from apples to zucchini, providing detailed information on selection, storage, and preparation.
In 2023, he published his memoir “They Call Me Produce Pete,” giving readers an intimate view of 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 their accumulated produce wisdom.
Napolitano also imparted his knowledge through hands-on teaching, hosting cooking classes at renowned retailers such as Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. These classes provided participants direct access to his expertise and allowed him to demonstrate techniques in person.
His dedication to promoting healthy eating also extended to children. Napolitano visited schools in Bergen County and the Englewood area, New Jersey, championing his love for produce and encouraging students to adopt good eating habits from an early age.
Throughout his career, Napolitano balanced his television role with community involvement. He regularly attended farmers’ markets across New Jersey, fostering direct connections with his viewers, whom he treated more as neighbors than distant audience members.
Napolitano’s influence on local television and food culture in the New York metropolitan area extended across generations. His straightforward advice and genuine personality appealed to parents and children alike, creating a multigenerational following.
His expertise came from hands-on experience rather than formal culinary training. With over 50 years in the produce business, Napolitano’s knowledge was rooted in daily interactions with fresh fruits and vegetables, learning about their seasons, quality indicators, and best preparation methods.
His long-standing television career, spanning more than 30 years on the same station, was a rarity in today’s rapidly changing broadcasting landscape. His constant presence on Saturday mornings fostered trust with viewers through his consistency and reliability.
Napolitano is survived by his wife, Bette, their two children, and seven grandchildren. His family occasionally joined him on his television segments, sharing his passion for teaching about food and promoting healthy living.