5 Ways Mobile POS Increases Sales for Farmers’ Market Vendors (+ Hardware Solutions)

Spring is in the air—warmer weather, blooming flowers, and the start of peak farmers’ market season. Farmers’ markets are growing in popularity thanks to fresh produce, sustainability, and community support. Today, these markets have expanded beyond fresh produce to include meat, plants, handmade crafts, and more. But one thing hasn’t kept up: payment options. Cash is still a preferred form of payment for vendors.

Over 81% of U.S. consumers prefer using cards for purchases, while cash transactions have dropped to just 12%. Offering mobile payment options can help you reach more customers and boost sales. In this blog, we’ll share five reasons why a mobile POS (point of sale) is a must—even for seasonal sellers—plus the best POS hardware solutions to speed up transactions and enhance the customer experience. 

5 Ways a Mobile POS Can Boost Your Farmers’ Market Sales 

More consumers are choosing to shop locally and support small businesses. Americans are even willing to spend an extra $150 a month to do so. Nearly 75% feel sadness, frustration, and even guilt when a local shop closes. It can signal a loss of local identity, fewer jobs in the community, and fears of big corporations taking over. 

That’s why farmers’ markets play a huge role in keeping local businesses alive. They check all the boxes for those who want to buy local and buy quality. Even at seasonal markets that embrace a more traditional feel, people still expect a modern shopping experience. Shoppers may be willing to pay more for fresh, local goods, but they also want convenience—especially when it comes to how they pay. Here are five ways a mobile POS can help your farmers’ market stand thrive. 

Historically, farmers’ market customers have skewed older, which is why cash remains common. But shopping habits are shifting as Gen Z becomes the largest group of consumers. They’re driving the resurgence of local markets since they prioritize sustainability and ethical shopping—but they also expect modern technology.

While Gen X currently holds the most spending power, Gen Z is on track to dominate consumer spending across the globe in just five years. In the U.S. and across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, they’re already outspending their parents and grandparents. With smartphones at the center of their daily lives, they want the convenience of multiple payment options like tap to pay. By offering these options at your farmers’ market stand, you can attract this rapidly growing group of shoppers.

Beyond Gen Z, a mobile POS can help you attract more customers, including travelers who prefer using cards for security, tracking expenses, and avoiding ATM fees. Meticulous record keepers appreciate digital receipts to track their purchases, which cash transactions don’t always provide. Impulse buyers might not carry cash but are more likely to make a purchase if they can pay with a card or digital wallet. Safety-conscious customers avoid carrying cash altogether and value secure, hassle-free payment options.

By offering mobile payments, you create a more convenient shopping experience, ensuring you never miss a sale and helping your business grow without expanding locations.

Financial experts suggest carrying $100–$300 in cash, but the average American only keeps about $67 on hand. Nearly half of people in a recent survey said they carry $50 or less. That limits how much they can buy—even at a farmers’ market filled with fresh, local goods. 

Imagine Gloria stops by your booth for fresh apples but notices your homemade apple-blueberry cobbler, too. She’d love to take both home, but with limited cash, she sticks to apples. With more payment options, she can enjoy both—and you get a happy, returning customer.

Or take Mario, who excitedly picks up flowers for his wife at the first stand he sees. Later, he spots a fresh cut of beef, perfect for steak night but realizes he already spent his only $40. With mobile payment options, he could support multiple local vendors and bring home everything he wanted.

A cash-only setup can make your business feel outdated. That beat-up cash box might be nostalgic, but today’s shoppers expect quick, seamless transactions. Swiping a card or tapping a phone is faster than counting out change, which keeps the line moving and gives you more time to engage with customers.

Convenience is also important to shoppers. If a customer runs out of cash, they’re unlikely to leave in search of an ATM. Instead, they might head to a larger store to finish their shopping. A mobile POS makes it easy for them to keep shopping and for you to increase sales.

And then there’s security. Carrying large amounts of cash is risky for shoppers and merchants. As your stand sells out, it’s clear you’ve had a great sales day, making you a potential target for theft. That flimsy little lockbox isn’t exactly Fort Knox. A mobile POS keeps your earnings secure while giving customers more ways to pay.

Mobile POS software helps you accept payments, manage customers, and track inventory. Whether you’re a traveling merchant, attracting new customers, or keeping regulars in the loop, it makes staying connected easy. Even without an online store, you can still offer customers an omnichannel experience. With the right farmers’ market POS, you can: 

• Link your social media to showcase your goods locally and beyond. 

• Collect customer info to update them on new products or upcoming market dates. 

• Send texts or emails asking for reviews on Google and other sites. 

• Sync with an e-commerce site if you sell non-perishable goods. 

• Track inventory with detailed reporting—especially useful for vendors selling by weight. 

Mobile POS software keeps you as connected to your customers as you are to the soil that grows the prize-winning orchids you sell at your stand. Offering more ways to pay creates opportunities to collect customer information seamlessly. Staying cash-only doesn’t automatically encourage customers to follow your business—potentially shortchanging your entire operation. 

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” When Uncle Sam comes knocking, a digital paper trail makes life a whole lot easier. Only accepting “Benjamins” in paper form can put you at risk for:

• Lack of a clear paper trail – Credit card and mobile payments create transaction records, while cash relies on manual tracking, which can raise red flags. 
• Higher chance of underreporting – Cash businesses are more likely to be flagged for unreported income since there’s no automatic digital record. 

• Industry scrutiny – The IRS closely monitors cash-heavy businesses (like farmers’ markets, restaurants, and salons) due to a higher risk of tax discrepancies. 

Thinking about using Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle as a quick fix? Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments might seem like an easy alternative, but they can get messy fast. What if you accept Cash App only to find out Andy prefers Venmo? Marisa accidentally mistyped your Zelle info by one digit—poof, the payment was never received. Antonia doesn’t use any of the P2P apps, and now you’re stuck waiting while she figures it out.

Even when payments go through, keeping track of them is another story. One minute you’re accepting business payments, the next you’re splitting last night’s dinner tab on the same Venmo account. Plus, if your internet connection is spotty, you won’t get payment notifications right away. You could be handing over goods before realizing the payment never arrived.

A mobile POS keeps everything streamlined—every transaction, every sale, all in one place. Tax season is stress-free, and your books stay crystal clear.

Modernize Your Farmers’ Market Booth with Mobile POS Hardware from InVue 

Mobile POS solutions can help take your farmers’ market booth to the next level. If concerns like limited booth space, seasonal sales, or cost have held you back, it’s time to rethink what’s possible. 

As a small business at a farmers’ market, you need a setup that works for your limited space, tight schedule, and fluctuating customers. Instead of starting with complex software you may not need, start with InVue’s mobile POS hardware—the foundation of a flexible, seamless payment system. With InVue, you’re not locked into a single provider or stuck with hardware that doesn’t fit your needs. 

The last thing you need during peak strawberry season is a buggy POS system with even clunkier hardware. Make the most of every season with a POS setup that grows with you.  

Here are some mobile POS hardware solutions to help turn your farmers’ market booth into a thriving business. best pos solution for farmer’s market vendors.

If you’re just starting out, testing different POS software, or working with a tight budget, the NE360H offers a flexible, cost-effective solution. It lets you use the iPhone you already have instead of investing in expensive, proprietary POS hardware. 

With the NE360H, you: 

• Save money – Many POS providers require you to purchase their hardware, adding unnecessary costs upfront. With the NE360H, you can download POS software directly to your iPhone, avoiding those extra expenses while keeping the freedom to choose the best software for your business. 

• Save space – Designed like a phone case with an integrated payment processor, the NE360H is lightweight and compact. It easily fits into an apron or pocket, keeping it within reach whenever you need it. 

• Save time – Since you’re using your own iPhone, there’s no steep learning curve. You’re already familiar with the device, so you can start processing payments right away. And if you ever switch software providers, there’s nothing new to learn when it comes to hardware—the NE360H stays the same, no matter which app you use. 

With a built-in charger, the NE360H keeps your iPhone powered throughout the day, ensuring you never miss a sale due to a dead battery. Plus, if you want to use something larger than your smartphone, there’s the NE360T for tablets.  

The DynaFlex II Go is perfect for sellers who want a fast, hassle-free way to accept every type of digital payment. It works with NE360 cases for smartphones and tablets, giving you a powerful mobile payment solution that’s easy to use and built for busy selling days. 

With the DynaFlex II Go, you can: 

• Accept all payments – Tap, swipe, dip—even NFC mobile wallets. The more ways customers can pay, the more likely they are to buy. 

• Keep payments secure – Outdated payment systems can put sensitive customer data at risk. The DynaFlex II Go is built with security in mind. It uses the latest AES encryption so both you and your customers’ data remain safe during every transaction. 

• Integrate with any system – Whether you use iOS, Android, or Windows, the DynaFlex II Go works with both pre-built and custom POS software, so you can get up and running fast. 

• Support loyalty programs – If you have repeat customers, why not keep them coming back? The DynaFlex II Go scans 1D and 2D barcodes and QR codes, making it easy to run promotions, manage loyalty programs, and speed up checkout. 

For sellers who want speed, security, and flexibility, the DynaFlex II Go makes payments easy—so you can focus on selling more and keeping customers happy all season long. 

The NE150 Convertible Tablet Stand is the best solution for merchants who want to personalize the customer experience and build lasting customer relationships.  

With the NE150, you can: 

• Service more customers – In addition to adding a professional touch to your stand or booth, the NE150 supports high-speed data connectivity, so you won’t lose sales due to buffering.  

• Establish customer relationships – The screen of the NE150 flips from merchant-facing to customer-facing. This gives customers a chance to quickly and easily review their purchase before pressing “okay”. With the right POS software, you can collect customer data at the time of transaction so you can keep in contact shoppers, prompt for tips, customer reviews, and more. 

Like all the other InVue solutions, you can use whatever tablet or operating system you want. You won’t experience downtime from having to order proprietary hardware if you opt to switch your software choice in the middle of the selling season.  

While farmers’ market vendors often rotate, some secure a permanent spot—especially in large markets or food hall settings. If you’re a permanent vendor or experience heavy foot traffic, the CT101 is a smart choice for stability, security, and flexibility. 

With the CT101, you get: 

• Enhanced security – The CT101 can be permanently mounted and locked in place, keeping your tablet secure even when you need to step away. Its all-metal construction ensures durability, making it ideal for frequent use. 

• Versatility – Short on staff? The CT101 can serve as a self-service station where customers can browse your offerings, check out upcoming products, or even shop your online store while you assist others. No more customers awkwardly waiting for your attention—now they can stay engaged while you work. Need to update them on product availability for the weekend? Simply display the details on your tablet. 

The larger the market, the more security matters. With the CT101, you don’t have to choose between security and flexibility—you can lock the tablet in place when needed or remove it from the base to process payments and manage inventory on the go. 

Maybe you prefer to keep things simple. Or maybe your focus is on providing the freshest, highest-quality produce during peak farmers’ market season. You don’t want to overthink your POS hardware—you just need something that works. That’s where the CT80 comes in. 

The CT80 stands out for its: 

• Ease of use – Simply plug it in and start using it right out of the box. No complicated setup, no confusing instructions. 

• Flexibility – Rotate your tablet between portrait and landscape mode and use it with or without a protective case. 

• Practical design – Lightweight and compact, the CT80 allows you to remove your tablet from the base to assist customers. And when it’s time to recharge, just plug it in like any other device—no special accessories needed. 

If you’re not the most tech-savvy seller, the CT80 is an excellent starting point for a hassle-free mobile POS setup. Plus, its straightforward design means you can focus on your products rather than troubleshooting your hardware. 

When creating the best pos solution for farmer’s market vendors it’s important to build a strong foundation with POS hardware. Once you’ve chosen the right hardware, you can use some of these same tips to help you find the right POS software. It doesn’t always work out the first time with payment processing software, but at least you’ll never have to worry about your mobile POS hardware.   

Trust InVue Mobile POS Solutions for Your Farmers’ Market Stand 

Small businesses come in all sizes—from solo vendors to multi-stand operations. Whether you run a single booth or multiple locations, InVue’s POS hardware solutions are built to scale with you. Need just one device? No problem. Expanding fast? You can mix and match hardware to fit your setup, all while knowing you have reliable local support whenever you need it. 

Other providers may lock you into clunky hardware and leave you scrambling through an FAQ page when something goes wrong—right in the middle of a busy sales day. With InVue, you get real support, flexible solutions, and POS hardware that works with any software, so you’re never stuck with a system that doesn’t fit your business. 

Ready to find the right mobile POS solution for your farmers’ market stand? Contact InVue today.