Joseph Carcione (/kɑːrˈtʃoʊni/ kar-CHOH-nee; October 31, 1914 – August 2, 1988) was a consumer advocate known as "The Green Grocer."
He went on to host short television and radio bits offering advice in the world of produce, and wrote a newspaper column and two books on the same subject.
Commercial television stations contracted with Mighty Minute Programs of San Francisco to obtain the exclusive rights to broadcast Joe Carcione's Greengrocer report on a market-by-market basis.
He was well known for, among other things, a dish called the "Joe Carcione Special", which consisted of shredded cabbage in place of pasta, sauteed with onion and garlic, and topped with marinara sauce and grated cheese.
[12] The Simpsons S10E17 makes reference to "The Red Grocer", a meat-focused play on Carcione's show.