'Produce Pete,' who taught millions to pick perfect fruits and vegetables, dies at 80

For more than 30 years, Napolitano appeared on WNBC's "Weekend Today in New York," delivering weekly segments built upon advice he learned from nearly a lifetime spent in the business.

"I come from immigrant people," Napolitano said during a 2025 appearance on the TODAY Show. "My father came here from Italy. No education, no nothing. And then, you know, I got lucky 35 years ago when someone was in my store and put me on a local show."

Napolitano emphasized simple rules for quality produce, advising viewers to choose fruits and vegetables that felt "heavy in the hand" and encouraging shoppers to embrace oddly shaped items, which he often said packed the most flavor. He told viewers to look for a deep golden color in pineapples as a sign of ripeness and taught them to lift pumpkins from the bottom, so the stems wouldn't break.

Napolitano's popularity extended well beyond local television. He was parodied on "The Daily Show," praised by comedian Tina Fey - who once told him, "You're my Beyoncé" - and even recognized by actor Harrison Ford, according to the Times.

He also wrote several books, including "Produce Pete's Farmacopeia," a guide to choosing and preparing fruits and vegetables, and an autobiography published in 2023.

NBC 4 New York remembered Napolitano as a beloved member of its station family, highlighting not just his practical advice but also the personal stories he shared about his upbringing and family.

Napolitano is survived by his wife, Elizabeth "Bette" Napolitano, two children, seven grandchildren and several siblings, according to reports.

He famously signed off his segments with a message that also sums up his legacy: "If you eat right, you're going to live right."