Pick, sell, get paid: apple season is on
Every year, as soon as September rolls around and the leaves start turning vibrant shades of red and orange, an irresistible craving for crisp apples sweeps across Quebec. It’s more than just a seasonal activity—it’s practically a ritual. Families, couples, friend groups… everyone heads out to the orchards to fill up bags, bite into fresh Cortlands straight off the tree, and soak in some nature between sweet bites.
Country roads fill up, social media overflows with shots of overflowing baskets, and orchards welcome hundreds of visitors each weekend. But beyond the Instagrammable moments, apple picking is a golden opportunity for local producers to showcase their goods and create a memorable, down-to-earth experience for everyone.
Apple picking: an outing that appeals to everyone
What makes apple picking so popular is that it checks all the boxes. It’s an outdoor activity, affordable, accessible, family-friendly, and all-around enjoyable. Kids run through the rows, parents get a nature break, and grandparents share stories from back in the day.
Orchards, for their part, are getting more and more creative in upgrading the experience: food stalls, tractor rides, kids’ play areas, petting zoos, tastings, homemade products… Everything is designed so visitors leave with more than just a bag of apples—they leave with a memory.
This surge of activity, although seasonal, is a critical moment for agri-food businesses and producers to make the most of a short but intense period of traffic. Every customer interaction counts, every sale matters, and every minute should be used wisely—especially when crowds pour in by the hundreds.
It’s about more than apples—think pies, cider, and keepsakes
Apples may be the main attraction, but they’re far from the only stars of the show. Alongside the picking, kiosks are filled with homemade treats: pies, apple fritters, compotes, fresh juice, cider, caramel, butter… A large part of an orchard’s revenue comes from these semi-permanent or pop-up shops.
And wherever there’s a transaction, there’s a need for a system that’s quick, easy, and reliable. When a family wants to buy two bags of apples, three pies, a juice, a cider, and a dozen fritters… the checkout process needs to be smooth. Long waits or payment issues can quickly sour the experience.
That’s when the orchard experience gets more technical behind the scenes. The front may be rustic and charming, but the backend needs to be highly efficient. One of the key (yet often overlooked) elements? How payments are processed.
Orchards also need to think like merchants
Even if the atmosphere is laid-back and rural, orchards still face the same challenges as modern retailers. Delivering a great customer experience isn’t just about a pretty view or juicy apples—it’s about seamless interactions, quick service, and flexible payment options.
These days, very few people carry cash. Visitors expect to pay by debit card, credit card, phone, smartwatch… Payments need to be instant, secure, and hassle-free. During the apple-picking rush, every second at the register matters.
If a payment terminal crashes, takes too long, or the connection is shaky, it can slow down sales, frustrate customers, and potentially lead to lost revenue. For orchard owners, this isn’t just inconvenient—it can seriously impact the day’s bottom line.
Mobile payment solutions are a must in agricultural settings
Modern payment solutions have completely changed the game for on-the-go businesses like orchards. Gone are the days of being tied to a landline to process payments. Thanks to current tech, mobile stands, temporary kiosks, and food trucks can all accept electronic payments without a hitch.
Access to payment solutions that work over cellular networks, are user-friendly for seasonal staff, and integrate easily with accounting systems or sales reports isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
When your entire business season lasts only a few weeks, there’s no room for downtime. Every sunny day brings hundreds of visitors. Missing a sale because your payment system glitched means missing a chance to leave a good impression—and to give customers a reason to come back next year.
DRS payments: a trusted partner for Quebec producers
This is where DRS Payments truly shines. Offering payment solutions designed for the needs of local businesses—including agricultural producers and seasonal vendors—DRS Payments understands the unique challenges of orchards, markets, mobile kiosks, and outdoor events.
Their strength lies in offering robust equipment, multiple payment options (contactless, cards, mobile devices), reliable connectivity, and a support team that knows the realities of working in the field. During the busy apple-picking season, every second counts. With a partner like DRS Payments, transactions happen fast, stress-free, and with the confidence that help is never far away.
Whether you’re running a small family orchard or a large-scale operation with thousands of visitors each fall, the right payment solutions can make all the difference. Because at the end of the day, what sticks in people’s minds is the smell of apples, the warmth of the welcome… and the ease of a smooth, well-run experience.
