It seems preposterous that a box of Thin Mints or Peanut Butter Patties could go uneaten by the end of any given Girl Scout cookie season, but it happens. And when it does, the Girl Scouts usually have a plan in place.
Do the Girl Scouts often have leftover cookies?
Girl Scout councils across the country might end up with leftover, unsold cookie boxes for several reasons. Factors differ from troop to troop, but some local leaders have pointed to price increases, inflationary pressure on potential customers, inclement weather impeding in-person sales, and the prevalence of knockoff cookie varieties now available at major discount retailers.
“People just don’t have the funds,” one self-identified troop leader wrote in a Facebook post earlier this year. “In past years, we would send our marketing email out and typically sell 100 boxes in the first 24 [hours]. This year, it was just 20 boxes.”
“There’s so many Girl Scout cookie dupes at grocery stores now which is a real bummer,” another theorized.
Related: The Girl Scouts want you to know something about those knockoff cookies
What happens to unsold cookies?
Whatever the reason, Girl Scout councils often share tips for making the best of these “bummer” situations. Some suggest they transfer inventory to another troop who might be selling better, or simply continue selling their cookies after the season ends to recoup their operating costs. Many councils, however, might frown upon these approaches and even impose penalties for those who skirt the established rules.
Donating leftover cookies to charity, on the other hand, is totally above-board. Per the official guidance from the Girl Scouts of the USA, councils or troops with leftover Tagalongs, Samoas or other cookie varieties are encouraged “to work with local food pantries and other charitable organizations to distribute cookies as a special treat for people seeking food relief services.”
The Girl Scouts of the USA also works with the licensed bakeries that produce the cookies — ABC Bakers and Little Brownie Bakers — “to ensure that they also have an annual plan for responsibly managing leftover cookie inventory,” according to the GSUSA’s FAQ page. (A representative for the GSUSA, as well as those for ABC and Little Brownie Bakers, did not respond to requests for more information about these inventory policies. But it’s likely some are donated to charity. In the past, the bakers have also suggested they may provide leftovers to prisons.)
Council leaders, meanwhile, say they have donated unsold inventory to food banks, first responders, veterans organizations or senior-living facilities.
Supporters can also donate cookies on the GSUSA’s behalf
Troops sensing an over-abundance of unsold cookies can also organize donations via the “Care to Share,” “Cookie Share” or “Gift of Caring” programs. These initiatives allow Scouts to collect money in exchange for providing cookies (and other items) to food pantries, the USO or other number of worthwhile causes. Nexstar’s KTLA, after the 2024 cookie season, had found that several of the country’s largest councils had taken part in these programs, with some donating nearly 200,000 boxes to such organizations. It was still unclear, though, how many boxes were truly “unsold” after accounting for those provided to charity via supporters’ monetary donations.
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In the event that troops truly can’t find a way to unload their unsold inventory, it’s not unheard-of for Girl Scouts to eat them, use them in baked goods, or stash them away to enjoy later.
“I think it varies,” one Reddit user wrote in a post discussing the uses for leftover treats. “My leader has stated numerous times that she has a whole closet full of cookies from last year that her kids eat.”
