Cookie FAQ | Girl Scouts (2024)

FAQs

What happens to the Girl Scout Cookies that don't sell? ›

While many are donated to food pantries, what's happening to the rest isn't always clear. The national Girl Scouts office said councils are encouraged to donate excess inventory to a charity of their choice with a signed agreement specifically stating that cookies can't be re-sold.

60% is invested in girls through programs, properties, volunteer support & training, financial assistance, and council services. 21% goes towards the Girl Scout Cookie Program and baker costs. 19% goes towards troop proceeds and girl rewards.

To ensure freshness, Girl Scouts only sell cookies produced for the current season.

Ultimately, Lemon Ups (2020 to present) and Lemonades (made by ABC Bakers) replaced Savannah Smiles and Lemon Coolers.

Please remember, parents should only owe for 40 boxes of cookies at a time. Any balance owed for cookies beyond 40 boxes is the responsibility of the volunteer who gave out more than 40 boxes of cookies to that parent (as outlined in the product program volunteer agreement).

"Last year, Raspberry Rally cookies were introduced as part of a pilot online-only sales strategy," a Girl Scouts spokesperson told Today. "While Raspberry Rally was extremely popular last year, we are taking a pause this season to prioritize supplying our classic varieties."

According to the Girl Scouts FAQ page, they actually make 65-75% profit, which means that about $3 from each $4 box goes to the Girl Scouts.

According to the Girl Scouts website, Thin Mints is the highest-selling flavor of cookies nationally, followed by Samoas. The top 5 flavors of cookies sold nationally include: Thin Mints® Caramel deLites®/Samoas®

Any remaining troop funds must stay with the girls who are continuing with Girl Scouts (i.e., transfer funds to the new troop or to the Juliette fund). Prior to disband, Troop Leaders should give girls the opportunity to vote on how to use remaining funds, following the guidelines of approved expenses.

In the 1990s, the National Council limited the bakeries providing cookies to just ABC Bakers (a division of Interbake Foods) and Little Brownie Bakers (a division of the Keebler Company).

What do they do with leftover Girl Scout cookies? ›

So, what happens to all the leftover cookies that don't get sold? If a council or troop has extra cookies at the end of the sale, they'll work with local food pantries and other charitable organizations to distribute the cookies “as a special treat for people seeking food relief services.”

Girl Scouts Raise Cookie Prices for 2024 Season

“Prices reflect the current cost of cookies and the cost of providing high-quality Girl Scout programming and experiences in an ever-changing economic environment,” GSUSA's website says.

In July 1922, Girl Scout national headquarters published an edition of The American Girl magazine for all Girl Scouts. The issue contained a recipe for a sugar cookie that could be baked and sold to raise funds for local councils. Thus, the simple sugar cookie was arguably the first true Girl Scout Cookie.

These cookies were lemony wedges coated with powdered sugar and were available from 2011 to 2019. The precursor to Savannah Smiles was the Lemon Coolers, a reduced-fat bite-sized cookie that lasted from 2003 to 2006. When Savannah Smiles was discontinued, Lemon-Ups took their place and are still sold today.

All Girl Scout cookie varieties were impacted by supply chain issues last year, but Raspberry Rally cookies became particularly hard to come by. The cookies quickly sold out online, which led some shrewd sellers to list boxes on eBay and resell them at an outrageous markup.

So, what happens to all the leftover cookies that don't get sold? If a council or troop has extra cookies at the end of the sale, they'll work with local food pantries and other charitable organizations to distribute the cookies “as a special treat for people seeking food relief services.”

Participation in the Cookie Program is optional; Girl Scouts cannot be required to participate and cannot be required or asked to provide money to the troop as a substitution for participating in the program.

The net proceeds from Girl Scout Cookie sales stay local with the originating council and troop to fund activities for girls year-round as well as impactful girl-led community projects.

Well, not the whole year: These cookies are stamped with a best-by date of about six months after delivery, so you'll want to make plans for extending the shelf life if you hope to make it the whole year.