The 2022 Girl Scouts Cookie season has officially begun. Young female entrepreneurs have started to sell boxes upon boxes of a variety of cookies for all to enjoy.

“Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida Cookies sold [from] December 1, 2021 to January 30, 2022 approximately 300,000 boxes of cookies,” Director of Product Programs for Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida Valerie Johnson said.

This year, Miami and the Florida Keys residents can enjoy the following cookies: Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Lemon-Ups, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils, S’mores, Toffee-Tastic and Adventurefuls. Most cookies cost $5 per box; however, the S’mores and Toffee-Tastics cost $6 per box. 

For those who have varying dietary restrictions, certain cookies meet some requirements. Thin Mints are Vegan and Toffee-Tastics are Gluten-Free. This allows for many to indulge in the classic cookies. 

Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many troops decided not to partake in the traditional style of selling cookie boxes. Typically, Girl Scout Troops sell cookies in front of grocery stores or other events. However, with the pandemic, many troops decided to implement contactless sale methods with apps like the “Digital Cookie” mobile app; the app is still being implemented as the pandemic continues. 

”It’s fun meeting people and being able to bring smiles and what not with the cookies,” Palmetto junior and current Girl Scout Gabriela Abreu said.

This year marks the return of in-person sales at local grocery stores for many Girl Scout troops. Many troops have decided to start selling outside of grocery stores like Publix, Milams and Winn Dixie. In order for the public to locate where a Girl Scout troop near them is selling cookies, an app called “Cookie Finder” is available. This app helps locate where and when Girl Scouts are selling their cookies, and it can be found in the App Store. 

“Since COVID was so new, a lot of people were staying at home still, so I know my troop sold a lot [of] online orders, but there was a lot of in-person orders as well from other troops,” Palmetto junior and current Girl Scout Brooke Glover said.

The Girl Scout Cookie cookie program is the largest girl-run business in the world. These Girl Scouts accomplish far more than simply selling cookies. Girl Scouts learn through first-hand experience what it takes to run a business and what elements — like leadership and dedication — are necessary to operate a successful business.  

“The Girl Scout Cookie Program is more than a fundraiser. The Cookie Program is a fun way for girls of all ages to gain hands-on leadership and entrepreneurial experience, as they learn first-hand how to run their own cookie business,” Johnson said. “Girls set goals, develop plans to reach them, market their cookie business, develop e-commerce skills while managing their virtual cookie business and interact with the community as they sell the iconic Girl Scout cookies.”

Many may wonder where the money from the cookie sales goes. In order to support troops directly, the money stays local, and it covers expenses for future activities that Girl Scout troops may want to accomplish. With this in mind, many people within communities choose to donate money to some Girl Scouts that sell cookies, without purchasing any boxes. 

“All proceeds earned stay local and allow girls and their Troop to fund experiences, community service projects and educational trips,” Johnson said. “Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida serves 3,000+ girls across every zip code in Miami-Dade and the Keys.”

Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida have already surpassed the number of boxes that they sold last cookie season, and they are nowhere near done. The public can continue to purchase these delectable cookies up until Feb. 21.