Mail-Delivered Produce Can Help Both People and Nature

A proposed program called Farmers Post could close the gap between farmers and food shoppers by delivering fresh fruit and vegetables along with your mail.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed our eating and shopping habits.

On one side, restaurants, hotels, and schools had to close or limit service, and on the other, many people returned to home-cooking, online grocery shopping, and food delivery.

In a new analysis, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) looks at how the USPS could close the gap between farmers and food shoppers by delivering fresh fruit and vegetables along with your mail.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, a proposed program called Farmers Post could easily reach most Americans, as USPS already delivers mail and packages six days a week.

Farmers could offer boxes of their surplus produce or regular harvest directly to consumers within a few postal codes for a relatively low cost. Postal carriers would pick up and deliver locally along their established routes, without adding more transportation emissions from delivery vehicles.

This model would benefit both consumers who would receive affordable fresh produce without leaving their homes, and farmers who would reduce food loss and wasted resources.

Farmers Post could also be a game-changer for senior citizens, people with disabilities, or those living in “food deserts,” areas that have limited access to grocery stores with healthy food options.

Nikola Gemeš

Highlights • 10 years of writing and editing experience Obsessed with home decor trends, plant parenting, cleaning, and other lifestyle topics. • Expertise in content marketing and email strategy for brands and small businesses About Nikola Gemeš Nikola Gemeš, an electrical engineer turned sustainability consultant, bridges the gap between complex environmental concepts and GreenCitizen readers with his well-researched, accurate content. His commitment to sustainability extends from his professional life to personal practices of recycling and home-grown food. An adventurer at heart, Nikola enjoys hiking, white-water sports, and pocket knife collecting. At Green Citizen, he's instrumental in presenting the best sustainable brands, aiding well-informed decision-making. He firmly believes in the collective power of individuals, experts, businesses, and governments to foster a world where sustainability, life quality, economic prosperity, diversity, mental health, and gender equality are core values. Experience Nikola Gemeš has a rich and diverse background in electrical engineering, which he utilizes to break down complex sustainability topics for his readers. His unique blend of technical knowledge and communicative skills has made him a crucial part of GreenCitizen. Nikola's experience has honed his ability to navigate through intricate data and research, ensuring the content he delivers is both accurate and reliable. His passion for educating and informing is palpable in the impact he has made on Green Citizen's readership. Outside of his professional endeavors, Nikola is deeply committed to environmental conservation in his personal life. This commitment is reflected in his everyday activities, from recycling to cultivating his own food. His hands-on approach to sustainability gives him a first-hand understanding of practical conservation efforts, further enriching the content he produces. These personal experiences often seep into his work, making it relatable and engaging for readers. Nikola's key role extends to assessing and presenting sustainable brands to his audience. His comprehensive grasp of sustainability allows him to critically evaluate and offer the best environmentally-friendly options available on the market. He aids readers in making informed decisions that have a positive impact on both their lives and the environment. His belief in collective efforts towards a sustainable world is evident in his work, as he consistently promotes values of quality life, economic prosperity, diversity, mental health, and gender equality.