Pete’s Fruit Market isn’t just a grocery store; it’s a celebration of fresh, vibrant produce. Since our humble beginnings as a small roadside stand in the early 1970s, we’ve remained true to our roots: providing the highest quality fruits and vegetables. At Pete’s Market, produce is more than just an aisle – it’s the heart and soul of our commitment to our customers. Every day, even before sunrise, our dedicated produce buyers are on the hunt, hand-selecting the finest, freshest, and healthiest produce options available. This dedication, combined with daily deliveries, ensures that every piece of fruit and vegetable reaches our shelves at the peak of perfection, ready for your table.
Pete’s Market boasts one of the most extensive and diverse produce departments in the entire Chicagoland area. We take pride in offering a global selection, including those hard-to-find international gems that can elevate your cooking. Looking for nopales, bok choy, daikon, or the fragrant methi leaf? Perhaps you’re after the exotic sweetness of dragon fruit, the unique taste of quenepas, or the refreshing cactus pear? You’ll find them here, alongside a continually expanding selection of organic and locally sourced produce. We believe in supporting local farmers and providing our customers with the freshest, most sustainable options possible. And for those busy days, Pete’s Market makes healthy eating even easier with our daily fresh-cut fruit selections, perfect for a nutritious snack on the go. Whether you’re searching for familiar favorites or something a little more adventurous, Pete’s Fruit Market is your destination for produce that excites the palate and nourishes the body.
Image alt text: Kenny, Pete’s Fruit Market produce buyer, expertly selects fresh produce at the Chicago market.
Meet Kenny: The Produce Expert Behind Pete’s Fruit Market
Meet Kenny, the driving force behind the exceptional produce you find at Pete’s Fruit Market. Kenny’s journey with Pete’s Market began in 1989, not among the vibrant displays of fruits and vegetables, but as the Pete’s Market truck driver. His days started early, making the crucial runs from the bustling Chicago Produce Market to our original store on North Avenue and Central. Kenny’s dedication and work ethic soon led him to take on a weekend manager role, seeking to contribute further during his downtime. It was during this time that the owner recognized Kenny’s inherent passion and potential, taking him under his wing to learn the intricacies of the produce business.
Kenny credits the owner’s passion for produce as contagious, igniting his own. This mentorship paved the way for Kenny to transition into the pivotal role of produce buyer. For years now, Kenny has been the discerning eye and experienced hand behind Pete’s Market’s renowned selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. His commitment to quality and his deep understanding of produce are what set Pete’s Fruit Market apart.
Daily Market Expertise: Securing the Best Produce for You
Kenny describes his daily trips to the Chicago market as a passionate “fight” – a determined effort to secure the absolute best produce for Pete’s Fruit Market customers, balancing top-tier quality with the best possible prices. He and his dedicated produce team arrive at the Chicago market at the early hour of 5 am, ready to engage in the sensory experience of selecting produce. They are tasting, smelling, and meticulously examining products, negotiating for fair prices, and orchestrating the daily distribution to all Pete’s Market locations.
This hands-on approach, combined with an encyclopedic knowledge of seasons, growing regions, and weather patterns, is crucial to Kenny’s success. He understands the impact of growing areas, potential water shortages, and heat waves on produce quality and availability. Despite these challenges, Kenny remains steadfast in his mission: to consistently find and deliver the best available quality and price for Pete’s Market shoppers. While Pete’s Market is committed to sourcing a significant portion of its produce from the Midwest – supporting local farms in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan – Kenny also tirelessly seeks out exotic fruits from around the globe. This dedication to variety and quality ensures that Pete’s Fruit Market truly is a one-stop shop, especially for our international customers looking for specific ingredients to create authentic, traditional dishes.
Pete’s Fruit Market’s foundation is built on produce. It has been the cornerstone of our business since day one. We sincerely hope that our enduring passion for providing exceptional fruits and vegetables shines through and enhances your shopping experience.
Kenny’s Expert Produce Tips: Maximize Freshness and Flavor
Want to get the most out of your fresh produce? Kenny shares some valuable tips:
To Refrigerate or Not?
- Peaches: Purchase peaches when they are firm and allow them to ripen at room temperature. For optimal ripening, place them in a brown paper bag.
- Bananas: Never refrigerate bananas! They require room temperature to ripen properly and cold temperatures hinder this process.
- Plums: Refrigeration is key for plums. They tend to spoil quickly at room temperature and can attract fruit flies.
- Grapes: Keep grapes refrigerated for freshness, but for the best flavor, take them out of the refrigerator about an hour before serving – they are sweetest when slightly warmer.
Is It Ripe Yet?
- Watermelon: Look for these indicators of ripeness: a brown stem, a yellow “belly” spot where the watermelon rested on the ground, and curly, broken lines on the rind.
Image alt text: Close-up of perfectly ripe and juicy fresh peaches at Pete’s Fruit Market.
- Cantaloupe: A ripe cantaloupe will have a strong, sweet fragrance and a rind featuring pronounced, complex webbing.
Image alt text: A refreshing display of fresh-cut watermelon, showcasing the juicy red flesh, available at Pete’s Fruit Market.
- Papayas: Papayas, known for their digestive benefits and available year-round, are best enjoyed when they reach a vibrant orange color and yield slightly to gentle pressure.
Image alt text: Bright and flavorful fresh papayas, a year-round tropical fruit offering at Pete’s Fruit Market.
Seasonality:
- Apples: Apples are the quintessential autumn fruit, with harvest season running from late August to late November.
- Mangoes, Cherries, Melons, and Soft Fruits: These fruits are the taste of summer, reaching their peak during the warmer months.
- Guavas: Guava season is in the winter. Choose guavas that are yellow, not green, for optimal ripeness, and don’t hesitate to eat the seeds – they are part of the experience!
- Papayas: As mentioned, papayas are available throughout the year.
We are proud to be an Illinois produce distributor, committed to providing you with the best from our region and beyond. Visit Pete’s Fruit Market today and experience the difference that passion and expertise make in your fresh produce shopping.
Image alt text: The Illinois Produce logo, signifying Pete’s Fruit Market’s proud partnership with local growers and distributors.
