Understanding the Girl Scout Cookie Program

Girl Scout Cookie Program

Did you know that the Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country, with sales of more than $700 million per year for girls and their communities nationwide? The Girl Scout Cookie program is the leading entrepreneurial program for girls: no university has produced as many female business owners as the Girl Scout Cookie Program has. 

Council-sponsored product sales are really the best way for girls to earn money to pursue their goals: the sales are beloved by the community and come with program, sales, and marketing materials and support that help girls run a great business. And they’re an integral part of the GSLE. 

With every season of cookies, another generation of girls learns five important skills:
• Goal setting
• Decision making
• Money management
• People skills
• Business ethics

The GSOFCT’s Cookie Program generally starts with cookie booth sales that are held for a limited time around Election Day in November. Girls take orders for cookies starting in early January and continue through the end of March. Cookies for these orders are available starting in early March. 

The Cookie Program provides important funds for troops/groups and the council as a whole. Girls and troops/groups can earn incentives based on the results of their sale. 
Training is provided by the Service Unit Cookie Manager to the Troop Cookie Manager and/or Troop/Group Leader. Complete instructions are provided as part of the training.

 A Sweet Tradition 
It has been more than 90 years since Girl Scouts began selling home-baked cookies to raise money. The idea was so popular that, in 1936, Girl Scouts enlisted bakers to handle the growing demand.Two commercial bakers are currently licensed by Girl Scouts of the USA to produce Girl Scout Cookies—Little Brownie Bakers and ABC/Interbake Foods - GSOFCT uses Little Brownie Bakers. Each baker gets to name its own cookies (which is why some cookies have two names) and gets to decide which flavors it will offer in a 
given year, besides the three mandatory flavors (Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos®/Peanut Butter Sandwich, and Trefoils/Shortbread). 

For additional information on cookie varieties, including nutritional details, visit 
http://littlebrowniebakers.com/cookies/.