The Girl Scouts of the USA have announced that they will not be selling the Raspberry Rally cookie, a popular new flavor that debuted last year, in the upcoming 2024 season. The cookie, which was a sister to the classic Thin Mint but with a raspberry-flavored cookie instead of a mint one, was only available online and sold out quickly, sparking a resale market on eBay with inflated prices.
Raspberry Rally: A Short-Lived Sensation
The Raspberry Rally cookie was introduced in August 2022 as part of a pilot online-only sales strategy, aimed at teaching girls omnichannel business skills and expanding the cookie portfolio with an exciting new flavor profile. The cookie was dipped in the same chocolate coating as the Thin Mint, but had a bright pink berry-flavored cookie inside.
The cookie was an instant hit with customers, who flocked to the Girl Scouts’ website to order the $5 boxes. Some chapters reported that they sold out of the Raspberry Rally in less than a day. The high demand and limited supply created an opportunity for resellers, who offered the cookies on eBay for as much as $30 per box.
Girl Scouts Express Disappointment Over Unauthorized Resales
The Girl Scouts of the USA were not happy with the unauthorized resales of their products, which they said deprived the organization of its proceeds and undermined its mission. In a statement to TODAY.com in March 2023, they said:
If you’re buying these cookies at a huge markup, you could and should instead be using that money to support girls by buying other varieties or supporting the program in other ways.
They also urged customers to support their local Girl Scouts by buying other varieties of cookies or donating to the program. They said that the Raspberry Rally was a fun and new way to teach girls online business skills, but they were taking a pause this season to prioritize supplying their classic varieties.
Girl Scout Cookies Become More Expensive Due to Inflation
The discontinuation of the Raspberry Rally is not the only change that customers will notice in the 2024 cookie season. Some chapters have announced that they will sell the cookies for $6 per box, an increase of $1 on some varieties from last year. Some cookies, like S’mores and Toffee-Tastic, were already priced at $6, but now the higher price will apply to other cookies that the troops sell, including the more classic ones.
The price hike was attributed to rising production and material costs due to inflation. The last time the Girl Scouts raised their prices was in 2014 and 2015, when some chapters increased the price from $4 to $5 per box. The Girl Scouts said that the price increase was necessary to cover their expenses and fund their programs.
Girl Scout Cookies Remain Popular Despite Challenges
Despite the challenges posed by inflation, supply chain issues, and unauthorized resales, the Girl Scout cookies remain popular among customers who love their taste and support their cause. The cookies are more than just a snack; they are a way for girls to learn valuable skills such as goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.
The Girl Scout cookies have been around since 1917, when a troop in Oklahoma baked and sold them as a fundraiser. Since then, they have become an American icon, with more than 200 million boxes sold every year. The cookies come in different flavors and varieties, depending on the region and baker. Some of the most popular ones are Thin Mints, Samoas (also known as Caramel deLites), Tagalongs (also known as Peanut Butter Patties), Do-si-Dos (also known as Peanut Butter Sandwiches), Trefoils (also known as Shortbread), and Lemon-Ups.
The 2024 cookie season will run from January to April across the country. Customers can find their local Girl Scout troops online or through an app and order their favorite cookies or donate to the program. They can also look forward to new flavors and innovations in the future, as the Girl Scouts continue to adapt and evolve their cookie program.