Two surprises awaited MacKenzie Medd as she headed into the CAW Student Centre for a quick study session Tuesday.

The first surprise was a free sample of soup from the Marketplace food outlet. The second was that she liked it.

Medd, a third-year kinesiology major, was one of 100 students who received the tasty treat from server Gerri Grenwood, who distributed small cups of soup to willing patrons, along with a coupon for $1 savings on their next purchase.

“I already had my lunch and just came here to study,” Medd said. “I have never had the soup here. It’s actually really good.”

Manager Jane Meunier said the promotion was intended to raise awareness of the menu item, which sells for $3.79 a bowl.

“We serve a variety, four different soups each day,” she said. “We just want to let people try what we offer.”

First-year law student Renata Antoniuk said she is “100 percent likely” to use the discount coupon, since she is a regular at the Marketplace and often orders soup.

“It’s healthy,” she said. “And it’s freezing outside.”