Saw a totally cashless food truck at the Portland Saturday Market

Honestly, I was grabbing lunch and this truck only took card or phone payments, no cash at all. The guy running it said he switched six months ago because it's faster and safer. Do you think this is the future for all small vendors or does it leave some customers behind?

3 comments

3 Comments

ninabutler2mo ago

Used to think cashless was just a fancy trend, but seeing how fast that line moved changed my mind. It does worry me about people who only use cash though.

phoenix6252mo ago

Noticed this happening everywhere lately, from farmers market stands to food carts. It definitely speeds things up and cuts down on theft, which is huge for small businesses. The problem is it assumes everyone has a bank account or a fancy phone, which just isn't true. We're basically building a world where you need tech to buy a sandwich, and that feels wrong. There should always be an option for cash, even if it's not the main one.

jordan3301mo ago

You're absolutely right, phoenix625, and that's what bothers me too. I've seen this same shift at my local taco truck and even the library's book sale. It feels like we're just EXCLUDING people who aren't "plugged in" enough. And for what? A few seconds saved in line? That's just not a fair trade. I've got friends who work cash-only jobs and literally can't get a debit card, and seeing places shut them out makes me angry. We need to keep cash alive as an option, period. It's basic decency, not a complicated tech problem.