Produce Pete facts for kids

Peter Napolitano (born February 23, 1945), better known as Produce Pete, is a well-known American grocer, chef, and TV personality. He is famous for his weekly TV segments about fruits and vegetables. You can watch him on WNBC in New York City and WCAU in Philadelphia. Produce Pete also appeared in commercials for the Pathmark supermarket chain for many years.

Produce Pete's Early Life

Peter Napolitano was born into an Italian-American family in Englewood, New Jersey. When he was just a young boy in 1953, he started selling fruits and vegetables. This was at his family's own farmer's market.

In 1970, Peter took over the family business. He ran it as a seasonal store, selling many different items. These often included special things for upcoming holidays and celebrations. In 1997, he passed the business on to his son, Peter Charles Napolitano. The family's store, Napolitano Produce, closed in 2006. It had served the Bergen County, New Jersey area for 53 years.

Pete met his wife, Bette, when he was 16 and she was 14. They got married in 1967. Pete and Bette have two children and seven grandchildren. Bette often appears with Produce Pete on his TV segments.

Produce Pete's Career in Media

Produce Pete has hosted many TV segments about food and nutrition since the late 1980s. He has also written books and shared lots of tips. His first book, Produce Pete's Farmacopeia, came out in 1994. It was republished in 2001. This book is full of advice on how to pick, buy, and cook fruits and vegetables.

In 2000, he also worked as a buyer for S. Katzman Produce. This company is located at the Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, New York. Produce Pete has also taught cooking classes. He has taught at famous stores like Macy's and Bloomingdale's. His new book, They Call Me Produce Pete, was published in 2023.

Produce Pete lives in North Haledon, New Jersey.