For countless Long Islanders, Produce Pete wasn’t just someone on TV — he was part of the rhythm of home.
Pete Napolitano, the beloved produce expert who helped generations of New Yorkers shop smarter and eat better, has passed away at the age of 80. His familiar voice and friendly advice echoed through kitchens across Long Island for decades, often playing in the background while dinner was being prepped or Sunday sauce was simmering.
Long before grocery apps and food influencers, Produce Pete was teaching families how to pick the best tomatoes, store fresh vegetables, and stretch a food budget — all with a calm confidence that felt reassuring and real. His segments on NBC New York became must-watch TV for anyone who shopped the aisles of Waldbaum’s, King Kullen, Pathmark, or Stop & Shop…