Girl Scout Cookie Sale Starts on Thursday

From small businesses to grocery stores, Girl Scouts will be setting up cookie booths for their annual Cookie Program. Girls will be selling cookies in central and southern New Jersey from January 16 through late February for $4 a box.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program remains the largest girl-led business in the country generating $790 million in sales. The program teaches girls 5 essential business skills including goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. “The iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program helps today’s girls learn business and life skills,” states Ginny Marino, CEO. “At each level, components are built into the program to help girls develop leadership, business and goal setting skills, along with money management. The responsibility they learn during the program provides a solid foundation for whatever path they may choose as adults.”

Fans of the Girl Scout Cookies can purchase classic favorites including Thin Mints, Shortbreads, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Lemonades, Thanks-A-Lots and Peanut Butter Sandwiches. New to the lineup are the Cranbury Citrus Crisps, a crispy cookie, made with whole grain, full of tangy cranberry bits and zesty citrus flavor. Made with real fruit, this new cookie has no high-fructose corn syrup, and no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.

Girls Scouts will also be sponsoring the Taste of Home Program, a service project for sending Girl Scout Cookies to US soldiers serving overseas and the Share in the Community Program, where a girl identifies an organization like a senior center, VA hospital or food bank that she would like to be the recipient of donated Girl Scout Cookies. Consumers can purchase additional cookies to donate to either program. “Taste of Home is a  really good cause. The soldiers deserve our help because they protect us and risk their lives for us,” explains Girl Scout Cadette Jesse Kelly who was one of the top sellers from GSCSNJ during the 2013 season.

Girl Scout Brownie Jordyn Conrad, also a top seller from 2013, has already learned how important it is to provide excellent customer service. “I try very hard and always am respectful to people,” states Jordan, “I am always on my feet at booth sales and smile. Even if someone is not buying cookies I say thank you and tell them to have a great day.”

Girl Scout Cookie fans can find their favorite cookies online, by using the Cookie Booth Locator atwww.girlscoutcookies.org or by downloading the mobile app available for Android and Apple devices.

— News release from the Girls Scouts of America