Peter “Produce Pete” Napolitano, the warm‑hearted television personality who taught generations of viewers how to choose and enjoy fruits and vegetables, has died at the age of 80, NBC New York and multiple news outlets are reporting.
Napolitano, known affectionately as Produce Pete, was a weekend staple on WNBC’s “Weekend Today in New York” for over 30 years, where his lively, folksy segments on fresh produce, simple recipes, and healthy eating made him a Saturday morning favorite.
Born in Bergenfield, New Jersey, in February 1945, Napolitano grew up immersed in his family’s produce business. He worked alongside his father as a young man and eventually helped grow Napolitano’s Produce into a local staple that served customers for more than half a century.
Although known for his supermarket savvy, Pete’s gentle charm and community‑first approach endeared him to viewers well beyond supermarket aisles. He often drew on personal stories from his life and his upbringing, emphasizing the joy of wholesome food with his signature sign‑off: “If you eat right, you’re going to live right!”
“His warmth, kindness and love for his work will be missed by all of us,” said Steven Bognar, managing editor at NBC New York in an emotional Instagram tribute following news of his death.
Although the cause of death has not been officially disclosed, reporting indicates he had previously experienced heart‑related health issues.
Pete was more than a TV personality — he was a community fixture. Over the years he appeared at health expos, farmers markets, book signings, and food‑drives in New Jersey and New York, connecting with fans who saw him as an approachable ambassador for healthy living.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Bette, whom he met as a teenager, their two children, and seven grandchildren.
Tributes have poured in from fans and colleagues alike, many recalling how his segments turned ordinary Saturdays into opportunities to learn and laugh and reminding audiences how to pick the ripest watermelon or the sweetest peach.
As social media remembers his legacy, one sentiment keeps recurring: Saturday mornings won’t be the same without Produce Pete.
