A fruit and vegetable gripper (10) consisting of a resilient body (20) having a curved concave gripping surface (22) containing a number of slots (26), with a cutting shield (32) integrally formed within the body. A first insert (34) and a second insert (40) snap into the body, with each insert including gripping barbs (36) and (42) that penetrate the slots. When the gripper is manually held, the first insert gripping barbs (36) and second insert gripping barbs (42) are extended by hand pressure when a fruit or a vegetable is held, thereby achieving a positive non-slip grip.