Some shoppers at Calhoun Foods left with more than groceries this week.

After participating in the health fair organized by the store and Vaughan Community Health Services, several attendees headed out the door more health conscious.

For the third year, consumers had an opportunity Tuesday to visit various stations planted throughout the mall. Each booth either offered samples of healthy foods prepared by local leaders or free health screenings and information provided by Vaughan Community Health Services and Calhoun Foods.

“We’re in a rural area, and most people around here don’t have health insurance,” said Phyllis Pearce, store manager for Selma’s Calhoun Foods. “There are a lot of people walking around with high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, and they need to know that there are ways to control it other than medication.”

Pearce went on to say that she changed her diet to help control her high blood pressure by drinking more water instead of sodas, substituting fried foods for baked foods, eating more vegetables and more.

Shoppers were able to sample some healthy food themselves as they made their way from the grocery store.

James Benderson, Selma’s planning and development director, and Henry Thompson, the city’s project compliance officer, shared a station in the store. Benderson prepared the food as Thompson served free samples to customers.

Benderson said it was the city’s concern about its residents that motivated local officials to participate in Tuesday’s event.

“We’re concerned with our citizen’s health and well-being just as anybody else [would be],” Benderson said. “The citizens make up the city, so it’s only right for us to come out and participate. “

The Vaughan Community Health Services checked glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index at no cost to the patients at Calhoun Foods to find out if they had a health concern. The health professionals advised the patients on their physical condition and handed out free information filled with tips on ways to keep their body’s healthy.

Karen Morris, a community health educator with Vaughan Community Health Services, said the free health screenings allowed the residents to hear the issues they need to bring to their doctor’s attention.

“We’re seeing some really high numbers today, and when we see these numbers we just give them the information and tell them to follow-up with the doctor to double-check and see what they can do to help out their health issues,” Morris said.