Free Samples at Mall Kiosks During the Holidays: What to Expect
Plan mall sample stops: where cheese kiosks appear, how bites are served, and what to ask before you taste.
Expect small tastes of cheese, sausage and sweets at seasonal Holiday Gift Centers and kiosks in malls. Staff hand out single portions during holiday shopping hours, with busy sampling on weekends and evenings. Holiday Gift Centers are seasonal pop-up shops that appear in malls for the gift season.
Hickory Farms lists seasonal Holiday Gift Centers and kiosks in malls nationwide, with 2025 listings showing openings in early to mid-November, according to Hickory Farms holiday store listings.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 06, 2026.
Which mall kiosks offer tastes?
Holiday food kiosks focus on gift boxes, summer sausage, cheese spreads and sweets. Shoppers can try small bites before choosing gifts for family, hosts or coworkers. Selection varies by kiosk size, mall traffic and day.
Hickory Farms points shoppers to its store locator to find seasonal shops near them, as noted in Hickory Farms customer answers. Check the locator before a trip, since locations are seasonal. Call the mall if a listing looks dated.
How are samples handed out?
Expect one bite per item on a toothpick, small paper cup, wax paper or small utensil. Staff should not use bare hands to touch ready-to-eat food. They use tongs, spatulas, deli tissue, single-use gloves or dispensing tools.
The Chester County Health Department requires pre-approval for sampling at markets and temporary events, with foods from a licensed facility and no home-kitchen products, as described in county sampling guidelines. Booths need a handwash setup with hot water, soap, towels and wastewater collection. Shared bowls or fingers in food are warning signs.
How are hot and cold bites kept safe?
Cheese and sausage bites are often held at room temperature for short periods. Temperature-controlled foods must stay at or above 135°F or at or below 41°F. As another option, staff can use time-as-control with written procedures and discard food after four hours.
Watch for crowded trays sitting out for hours, weak chafing heat or soft cheese looking oily. Ask when a tray was set out if the mall is slow. Skip samples that look dry, warm or handled often.
What if you have a food allergy?
Holiday meat, cheese, bakery and chocolate samples often contain milk, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts or sesame. The FDA recognizes nine major allergens, with sesame added effective Jan. 1, 2023.
Labels may not be visible at a small kiosk counter. Ask staff before tasting with clear questions: If staff cannot answer, skip the taste and check the sealed package in the gift shop.
- Does this contain milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nut, fish or sesame?
- Was it made in a facility with nuts or other allergens?
- Can I see the package label for this sample?