Few bibliophiles could resist delving into cafeteria tables laden with more than 16,000 books, all sorted and sold for a fraction of the original sticker price. Sweetening the prospect of a used book sale, however, is the promise of ample free food and other giveaways.

The Emmaus Public Library, a community library in eastern Pennsylvania, teamed up recently with The Nutrition Group, a full-service food and utilities management company, to hold a used book sale and a Nutrition, Health and Safety Fair at Lower Macungie Middle School, one of the institutions serviced by The Nutrition Group. The school’s cafeteria was transformed into a mecca for readers of all ages, and the halls outside the book sale were stocked with booths providing free screenings and sharing information on healthy eating, the dangers of smoking and the importance of good oral hygiene.

Booth workers gave away bags of popcorn, packets of flavored raisins, and samples of fruit smoothies. But there were also a slew of promotional products at the fair. A local hospital had a basket of spray hand sanitizers set up next to a display about germs. An orthodontist gave out logoed water bottles. Other swag on site included stress balls, erasers, stickers, bumper stickers, keychains, can coolers and crayon packets with nutrition-themed coloring pages.

Plan on having your own public event or fair? Make sure you have an ample supply of fun and functional promotional items to hand out. Contact your distributor partner for great ideas and products.