I know that so many people get excited when Girl Scout cookie sale season starts each year. That’s why I’ve put together this primer about Girl Scout cookie sales starting in Maine.
I’ve dug deep to find answers to the most common questions about Girl Scout cookies. This include:
- When do Girl Scout cookies go on sale in Maine?
- How much do cookies cost?
- Can I buy Girl Scout cookies online?
- Where are sales held in person near me?
- Are there vegan or gluten-free Girl Scout cookies?
- What are the new cookies this year?
What you need to know about Girl Scout cookie sales in Maine
The most important thing you need to know about buying boxes of Girl Scout cookies in Maine is this: the start date. That is, every Girl Scout Council has a different sale date.
For example, it appears troops in New Hampshire are already taking orders. We recently stopped at the Walmart in Newington, NH and outside there were the Girls Scouts.
However, in Maine, cookie season officially starts on February 1, 2024.
On the other hand, there’s another date to keep in mind–February 27. That’s the date that online ordering begins for people who do not live near a Girl Scout Troop.
You’ll place your order online, and it will be shipped to you. Again, this is for cookie lovers who do not have a Girl Scout Troop nearby. Otherwise, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) encourages everyone to find a cookie booth and buy in person.
How to buy Girl Scout Cookies online
Back when I was a troop leader for my younger daughter, there was one way to sell Girl Scout cookies: in person. You did this either going door-to-door (this was how I sold cookies as a young Girl Scout in the 1970s) or by setting up a cookie booth outside the local supermarket.
Today’s troops still use these methods, of course.
At one point, it appeared that the Girls Scouts of America had stepped into the 21st century with online sales and a cookie app. However, I can’t find that Smart Cookies app in the app store anymore.
So, I’ve reached out to the Girls Scouts of USA to get confirmed information about whether or not buying cookies online is still a thing. And, if so, how one goes about doing that. I’ll keep you posted.
New Girl Scout cookie flavors this year
The Girl Scouts of USA announced a new cookie flavor for 2023. It’s called the Raspberry Rally. Think Thin Mints but with a raspberry-flavored cookie filling, not mint.
Sales must not have gone well because they’re not on the list for 2024. However, a few other new cookie flavors are. They include:
- Girl Scout S’mores®: Crunchy graham sandwich cookies with chocolate and marshmallow filling
- Lemon-Ups® Crispy lemon cookies baked with inspiring messages
- Toffee-tastic® Gluten free! Rich, buttery cookies with sweet, crunchy toffee bits
How much do cookies cost
Boxes of Girl Scout cookies cost between $5 and $6, depending on the flavor.
Why do Girl Scout cookie flavors have different names
Thin Mints are always Thin Mints. Same with the Trefoil shortbread cookie.
However, there are a few Girl Scout cookies that go by different names.
Why? Because there are different bakeries that make different cookies. Therefore, they call the cookies something different.
Currently, there are three Girl Scout cookie flavors that go by different names. They are:
- Caramel deLites vs Samoas
- Do-si-dos vs Peanut Butter Sandwich
- Peanut Butter Patties vs Tagalongs
Are there vegan Girl Scout cookies?
According to the GSUSA, the following four cookies are vegan:
- Thin Mints
- Peanut Butter Patties
- Lemonades
- Toast-Yay! cookies
Which are gluten-free Girl Scout cookies?
There are two gluten-free Girl Scout cookie varieties. They are Toffee-tastic and Caramel Chocolate Chip cookies.
If you want to check the ingredients, just to be sure, this page on the Girl Scouts website links to nutritional information for each cookie.
Are Girl Scout cookies kosher?
Not only is every flavor variety kosher, but also they are Halal certified.
Who makes Girl Scout cookies
There are two commercial bakeries that the Girl Scouts of USA contracts with to make their cookies. One is called ABC Bakers. It is located in Virginia.
The other is called Little Brownie Bakers. They are in Kentucky.
You can find links to nutrition information for the cookies these bakers make on this page about Girl Scout cookie flavors.
Girl Scout councils contract with different bakeries. Therefore, the cookies they sell may have different names.
I guess the Girl Scout council of my childhood (Girl Scouts of Suffolk County) and the Girl Scout council when I was a leader (Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania) both used ABC Bakers. That’s the company that makes Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich cookies and Caramel deLites.
It is the Little Brownie Bakers that uses the alternate names for these three cookies.
And, it appears, so do the Girls Scouts of Maine use ABC Bakers, too. Because there is nary a Tagalongs, Do-si-dos nor Samoas to be found on the cookie website.
Girl Scout cookie sale finder
Believe it or not, the Girl Scouts of Maine have a cookie finder. You can use it to find cookie sales near you.
Just visit the website of the Girl Scouts of Maine. Then, plug in your zip code.
For example, when I used my zip code from Kennebunk, my results showed all of the Girl Scout cookie sales in New Hampshire. That’s because the Girls Scouts of the Green and White Mountains (Vermont and New Hampshire) kick off cookie sales before Maine does. Their 2024 season actually started the day after Christmas 2023.
As I mentioned earlier, Girl Scout cookie season in Maine starts on February 1. I’m writing this article before that date. Therefore, I’ll be sure to update information about local cookie sales once they officially start here in Maine.
In September, Girls Scouts get free admission to Maine State Parks.
Finally, in the off-season if you are craving Girl Scout cookies and don’t have any in your freezer, check out these store-bought Girls Scout cookies dupes or what I call generic Girl Scout cookies. Yes, we did taste tests.
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