Local Farmers Markets Grow With More Sales
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TORONTO, ON–Apr 2, 2014– As warmer weather approaches Canadians can look forward to visiting their farmers’ market to support their local farmers and artisans. When farmers’ markets open their doors next month merchants will be able to accept more sales and customers won’t have to carry cash thanks to Square.
Square, the company helping sellers accept credit card payments, supports thousands of local businesses, many of whom sell their goods at farmers’ and outdoor markets. Enabling anyone anywhere to accept credit cards with a free mobile app and a card reader has simplified the way business owners are starting, running, and growing their businesses.
According to Farmers’ Market Canada, the estimated economic impact of farmers’ markets in Canada is $3.09 billion and growing. Over 92 percent of shoppers say buying directly from a farmer is important and now buying directly from farmers has never been more easy.
“My customers love that they don’t have to miss out on their morning coffee because they don’t have cash,” says Elias Vastis, the owner of the Hula Girl Espresso Coffee Truck. “When my truck rolls out in May to the outdoor markets I’ll be accepting payments with Square.”
To celebrate the upcoming season and the small businesses that bloom in the spring, Square released a list of some of Canadian’s favourite markets from the west to east, where merchants selling everything from flowers to jewelry are using Square to help make commerce easy.
Vancouver:
Granville Island Farmers’ Market – Celebrating over 20 years of all things fresh straight from the farm, Granville Island Farmers’ Market is the most established and oldest of its kind in Vancouver. Throughout the summer and early autumn months it’s the go-to place to get the freshest produce from local farmers.
Portobello West Market – While not strictly a farmers’ market, this is Vancouver’s favourite fashion and art fair. It’s open year-round and boasts a variety of local goods ranging from fashion, jewelry, accessories, art, sweets, children’s items and more.
Toronto:
St. Lawrence Farmers’ Market - Over 208 years old, this market is among the oldest and most established in Canada with more than 120 vendors (many accepting credit card payments with Square). Canadians can enjoy an abundance of truly great food here.
Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market – Located in an old brick quarry which has been converted to a community environment centre, the Evergreen Farmers’ Market features local growers from the GTA and surrounding area. It is open every Saturday from May to November.
Montreal:
Atwater Market – Opened in 1933, the Atwater Market is a farmers’ market located in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood of Montreal. The interior market is home to many butchers, bakers, and a restaurant. The outside market has many farmers’ stalls which sell local and imported produce, two cheese stores, a fish store, and a wine store specializing in locally produced spirits.
ABOUT SQUARE
Square makes commerce easy for everyone. From accepting credit cards to managing a full point of sale, Square offers simple and affordable tools for businesses starting and growing. Square Reader, the free credit card reader for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, allows businesses to accept credit cards anywhere, anytime, for one low, transparent rate. Square’s suite of business tools includes Square Register, an analytics dashboard, and Square Stand. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Francisco, Square is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Japan. Square chose Kitchener-Waterloo to house its first permanent office in Canada.