Girl Scouts Start Cookie Sales, Includes Two New Flavors

Girl Scout cookie season is officially in full swing. The Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council (GSSGC) begin selling cookies Jan 26 — and will continue to do so through March 15. “For our girls, and just as it was for me, the cookie program is their very first job,” said Cynthia Breunig, CEO and president of GSSGC. "I’m forever grateful that selling cookies taught me how to handle money, set goals and grow a dream into a business." This year, along with their regular lineup of Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, Caramel deLites, Shortbreads, Thanks-A-Lots, Lemonades and Peanut Butter Sandwiches, the girls are rolling out two new cookie flavors. The first is a Cranberry Citrus Crisp, the first all-occasion cookie that brags nine grams of whole grains. The second caters to the gluten-free cookie-loving crowd. The new Chocolate Chip Shortbread is certified gluten-free, which makes it suitable for those with Celiac disease. It has a melt-in-your-mouth, buttery explosion of flavor but it's only available in limited quantities. “It’s a pilot program, which is why we have a limited supply of only 36,000 boxes, and only 20 councils nationwide are selling this product,” said Elizabeth Locke-Thomas, vice president of product and retail sales at GSSGC. "We’re extremely lucky to showcase them to the Inland Empire." Last year alone, local Girl Scouts sold 2.5 million boxes in only 43 days. Locke-Thomas added, “We expect to sell out of gluten-free shortbread within the first two weeks of the cookie sale, so if you’re looking to get some, make sure you visit a Girl Scout cookie booth the first weekend of February. Our Super Bowl booths will be in front of grocery stores.” All cookies will retail for $4 per box, including the gluten-free shortbread. All the money generated from the sale stays within the area to help fund various program and troop activities. Residents of Riverside and San Bernardino can use a handy cookie booth locator to find their nearest Girl Scout cookie booth or call 909-307-6555.