When you see a sample offered at a grocery store, they have a dedicated worker doing nothing but samples. The worker will follow all food safety steps, like wearing gloves and offering samples in disposable plastic cups. There is a hand washing facility available. If the food is outside, it was prepared in a kitchen and covered outside while not in use.
All of those rules are easy to follow for a grocery store, but when you're selling off the back of a pickup truck in a parking lot, it's a lot more difficult. Every state is different in their exact rules, as well as the strictness with which they are enforced.
I find it easier to just give away an intact tomato to anyone who questions whether or not they might taste good. I don't remember anyone not buying more afterward. Plus other customers at the table will hear them rave about the good taste.
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