2019 Cookie Sale

Get the Facts About Girl Scout Cookies!

Did you know:

GSUSA is a nonpartisan, inclusive organization. We are neither “red” nor “blue”; we are Girl Scout green! As a result of remaining nonpartisan and inclusive for over 100 years, we have been able to serve over 59 million girls, today serving 2.3 million girls in every zip code.

The Girl Scout workforce and volunteer network is as diverse and inclusive as our membership. Our employees are thoroughly background checked, but there is no litmus test for being a Girl Scout. GSUSA does not discuss the private lives of its employees.

Do you want to know what Girl Scouts is really about? Ask a girl! She will enthusiastically explain her experiences serving her community, meeting new friends, and discovering scholarly or professional interests.

Do you want to know what selling Girl Scouts Cookies is really about? Ask a girl! She will enthusiastically share her goals with you!

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the world’s foremost entrepreneurial experience for girls. The Program equips girls with a lifetime of special skills, such as financial literacy, goal-making, and people skills. This is not a political experience; Girl Scouts is proud to be a nonpartisan, inclusive organization.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a council-run business. Cookie proceeds stay in our council, and we have made decisions locally on how to run this business.

So, where exactly does the cookie money go?

One hundred percent of the money that a council and its troops raise through the Girl Scout Cookie Program stays with that council and its troops. Again, let there be no question: all of the revenue from cookie activities—every penny after paying the baker—stays with the Girl Scout council. Girl Scout councils offer a wide variety of recognition items, program- and store-related credits, and travel experiences that girls are eligible to earn individually based on their sales. Girl Scout councils do not provide any portion of their cookie revenue to Girl Scouts of the USA.

Should people b concerned about where the money goes?

As we’ve made clear, absolutely not! Girl Scout cookie sales fund the amazing work that Girl Scouts do to improve communities nationwide—including yours. Through Girl Scouting, including our beloved Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls discover the fun and friendship that life holds, developing to their full potential and gaining values that will guide their actions along the way.

Why do some people voice concern about Girl Scout Cookies?

In short, it’s because they’ve been fed false information about the Girl Scout Cookie Program, which frankly is nothing new. As such a large organization, Girl Scouts is occasionally a target for outside entities with clear agendas. A fundamental piece you should know is that Girl Scouts does not advocate one way or another with regard to what we perceive as private issues best handled by families. Personal matters are just that—personal and private—and should be addressed accordingly.

Should I buy Girl Scout Cookies?

For all the great reasons above, we certainly think so! Following a diet that looks less than favorably on sweet treats? You should know that Girl Scouts have the option of participating in a council-approved "Gift of Caring" program that allows them to collect cookie box donations for military personnel serving overseas. Ask us more about it!

Sensitive Issues & Talking Points

With our cookie booth cookie sales in full swing and increased interaction with the public, we would like to make you aware of some issues impacting other Girl Scout councils. We share this information with you as volunteers and/or parents because you are the most likely person to hear, first hand, about any issues that arise in your community. We want to best prepare you. Some of the controversial issues this year include Planned Parenthood and boycotts of Girl Scout Cookies.

As a parent or volunteer, you may be approached by friends, family, and community members asking you to clarify GSUSA's stance on a number of issues. What do you do?

Share general talking points about Girl Scouts:
- The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the world's foremost entrepreneurial experience for girls. The Program equips girls with a lifetime of special skills, such as financial literacy, goal-making, and people skills. This is not a political experience; Girl Scouts is proud to be a nonpartisan, inclusive organization.
- Do you want to know what selling Girl Scouts Cookies is really about? Ask a girl! She will enthusiastically share her goals with you! (Please feel free to share the 5 skills; you are encouraged to share what your Girl Scout or troops in your area are planning to do with their proceeds).
- More talking points are provided on the GSNMT website for volunteers to use as needed

Learn more and share facts about Girl Scouts and the Cookie Program:

When a volunteer/parent asks for advice, we have suggested responses from seasoned volunteers:

"If people bring up Planned Parenthood or the abortion issue, I tell them politely thank you for your time, have a nice day, goodbye. I will not get in a discussion over this sensitive adult issue in front of my daughter or any of my troop girls."
"Use this as a lesson to show the girls that they cannot believe everything they see on the internet."
Divert the conversation to what your Girl Scout troop/group/individual is doing in the community. Focus on the positives.

Have further questions? Or having these issues discussed in your community?

Contact Carol Ann (GSNMT Communications CAShort@gs-nmtrails.org 505-923-2514) or Peggy (GSNMT CEO PSanchezMills@gs-nmtrails.org ) so we can address in a timely and appropriate manner. We ask that you do not try to clarify the issues or explain further.

If there are any situations in which you feel girls' safety is compromised, please remove them from the environment immediately and contact council staff.

On a positive note, our positive media is far outweighing this negative coverage. Keep up the good work and please continue to share your successes!

Update: Thin Mint Chocolate Coating

There have been a few questions about the chocolate coating of the Thin Mints. In case you receive this type of inquiry, the statement below should help you address the concern.

Little Brownie Statement:

At Little Brownie Bakers, our highest priority is ensuring we make delicious, safe and high quality Girl Scout cookies for consumers to enjoy.

On occasion, the Thin Mint cookie surface may appear white, which is known as chocolate bloom. This can happen when cookies are exposed to temperature variations – such as your home freezer – causing the ingredients in the chocolate coating to separate. Blooming is not a food safety concern and it does not impact the flavor, texture or quality of the product. Once the cookies return to room temperature, the white appearance should go away. This year, Thin Mint cookies are made without partially hydrogenated oil (PHOs) so this may cause the cookies to bloom more easily. We are always looking to improve our recipes and while blooming cannot always be prevented completely, we’re working on ways to improve our cookies for next season.

All consumers should contact Kellogg’s 800 number which is on the outside of the cookie package. If they contact you directly, please exchange the cookie package for a new one or replace their money and record the package as a damaged cookie package. If you should have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Learn more about the Girl Scout Cookie Program at www.girlscoutcookies.org

Safety First: How to Have Fun, Be Safe, and Keep Girl Scout Cookie Season about the Girl Scouts!

Girl Scouts, one of the most visible and well-respected organizations in America, is sometimes unjustly criticized by fringe groups with a political agenda. There have been isolated reports of cookie sale boycotting, as well as some incidents of criminality, like theft. While Girl Scouts nationwide stand united in being undeterred by criminals or fringe groups, the safety of our girls and volunteers is priority number one. Harassment of any kind is intolerable.

Here are five key safety tips to ensure Girl Scouts and Girl Scout volunteers can sell cookies safely while having tons of fun: Remember that it is all about the girls, Stay visible, Use the buddy system, Know the facts, and HAVE FUN! Click here to read more about keeping girls safe during the cookie sale.

Safety First: How to Have Fun, Be Safe, and Keep Girl Scout Cookie Season about the Girl Scouts! (pdf)