FREE SAMPLE

A 'free sample' is a portion of food or other product which is given out in shopping malls, grocery stores, and other venues. Sometimes samples of non-perishable items are included in direct marketing mailings. The purpose of a free sample is to acquaint the consumer with a new product.
The concept of a free sample is not unlike that of a test drive, in that a customer is able to try out a product before purchasing it.