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Eat healthier and save in the New Year with SNAP-Ed grocery store tours

Eat healthier and save in the New Year with SNAP-Ed grocery store tours

Eat healthier and save in the New Year with SNAP-Ed grocery store tours


1/7/2026

Sophie Santos
Sophie Santos, an extension associate with the SNAP-Ed Program under University of Guam Land Grant, demonstrates how to calculate the unit cost of bananas during a Cooking Matters Grocery Store Tour on Sept. 26, 2025, at the Maite Pay-Less Supermarket location.

If your New Year’s resolutions include eating healthier and spending less, the SNAP-Ed Program under University of Guam Land Grant invites you to get started with a free one-hour “Cooking Matters Grocery Store Tour.” The tours are open to any residents who are eligible for SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or any other means-tested assistance program. They will be offered monthly at Pay-Less Supermarket locations around the island, with the first one of this year taking place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, at the Pay-Less in Yigo.

The tour takes residents on a guided walk-through of their neighborhood Pay-Less store, teaching how to: 

  • read and understand food labels
  • compare unit pricing to make cost-effective choices
  • identify the importance of each food group
  • shop smartly while staying within budget.

“Some products may look healthy and nutritious, while others with creative packaging make it look like you’re getting more for your money, but that’s not always the case,” said Tanisha Aflague, a registered dietitian nutritionist with the UOG Land Grant Extension Service and coordinator for the SNAP-Ed Program. “SNAP-Ed’s tour will guide you to make more informed selections at the market for the benefit of your health and your budget.”

Cooking Matters tour schedule: 

  • Friday, Jan. 16: Yigo Pay-Less (11 a.m. – Noon)
  • Tuesday, Feb. 10: Maite Pay-Less (11 a.m. – Noon)
  • Friday, March 27: Sumay Pay-Less (11 a.m. – Noon)
  • Thursday, April 16: Micronesia Mall Pay-Less (3 p.m. – 4 p.m.)
  • Friday, May 15: Yigo Pay-Less (11 a.m. – Noon)
  • Friday, June 12: Maite Pay-Less (11 a.m. – Noon)
  • Friday, July 3: Micronesia Mall Pay-Less (11 a.m. – Noon)
  • Friday, Aug. 7: Micronesia Mall Pay-Less (11 a.m. – Noon)
  • Friday, Sept. 25: Yigo Pay-Less (3 p.m. – 4 p.m.)

Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate, educational handouts, and a free reusable shopping bag.
Registration is open to residents who are eligible for SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or any other means-tested assistance program. Those interested may sign up at https://url.uog.edu/cooking-matters. Children accompanied by a parent are welcome to attend as well. Participants are asked to register at least 24 hours in advance of the session they would like to attend as space is limited. For more information or any questions, please call (671) 735-2030/40.