Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry

Cooking Matters at the Store (CMATS) is an interactive, guided in-store shopping tour that brings low-income adults directly to the locations where they currently shop to help them make the most of their limited resources, including SNAP and WIC benefits, which currently 1 in 6 people in the United States receive. Led by the committed and dedicated volunteers, CMATS tours teach four key shopping skills: identifying whole grains, reading food labels, buying fruits and vegetables on a budget and comparing unit prices. At the end of each tour, participants receive a $10 gift certificate to spend on healthy grocery items.

Since the program’s inception, we are pleased to have taken 2600 residents on healthy shopping tours at 4 grocery stores within Jersey City! As a result of this tremendous achievement, we have received additional funding to reach another 4,000 residents by December 31, 2015.

The success of the CMATS program relies on a reliable and consistent stream of volunteer tour leaders. CMATS tour leaders are required to receive training (online and in-person) and commit to a minimum of 5 tours over a 6 month period. No prior experience in nutrition education is necessary.

As a valued community partner, we ask that you support our efforts by helping to identify potential volunteers for this program.