Cookie Sale FAQs

Cookie Sale Basics

How does the Girl Scout cookie sale benefit my daughter? toggle arrow

When you buy Girl Scout Cookies, you power amazing adventures and life-changing opportunities for girls. The more cookies you buy, the more you help EVERY GIRL build entrepreneurial skills and take the lead, both now and in the future. It's about the experience of running her very own cookie business, working with others—and building a lifetime of confidence as she learns the five skills (goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics) essential to leadership, success, and life.

What do girls receive by participating in the Girl Scout cookie sale? toggle arrow

By selling cookies, girls establish individual goals that entitle them to incentives as well as the ability to contribute to troop proceeds. Juniors and above have the opportunity to forgo incentives and apply their cookie proceeds to specific goals they set for themselves such as a council trip or summer camp experiences.

How can the Girl Scout cookie sale reduce the cost of my daughter’s Girl Scout activities? toggle arrow

Your daughter’s troop receives money for every box of cookies she sells. The troop can use this money to fund activities, trips, service projects, scholarships and more.

How much do troops earn? toggle arrow

Troop Earning Items Sold (Per Registered Girl Average)

$0.80 per box 1-149 packages sold
$0.85 per box 150-199 packages sold
$0.90 per box 200-249 packages sold
$0.95 per box 250+ packages sold

Your troop can use this money to pay for troop activities – anything from programs to trips.

Opt-Out Proceeds Revamped!

Increase in Proceeds: Junior Troops and older can now earn an additional $0.10 per box when opting out of rewards.
Charms & Patches: Girls will still receive all charms and patches earned.
Special Recognition: Girls who opt out and sell 600+ packages will also receive:
- 2027 GSUSA Membership
- Invitation to the 600+ Top Seller Event
- Girls will not receive any other rewards, including those in the reward catalog.

How much are the cookies? toggle arrow

Cookies will be $6 per package for all varieties.

Where can I get more information? toggle arrow

a) You can get more information on our website

b) Parents/caregivers should subscribe to “All Things Cookie Program, GSJS” rallyhood https://rallyhood.com/140424/rallies. Stay in the know as council shares timely information for troops. Sign up for the daily digest under notifications to receive a once-a-day message.

c) Troop volunteers should subscribe to "Troop Cookie Manager,GSJS" rallyhood https://rallyhood.com/183460/rallies. Stay in the know as council shares timely information for troops. Sign up for the daily digest under notifications to receive a once-a-day message.

What is the Jersey Shore Cares Cookie Donation Program? toggle arrow

A key element of the Girl Scout Cookie Sale is our cookie donation program. It is a great way for customers to give back to the community! Cookies can be purchased by customers to benefit our local food pantries, active US military troops, seniors and veteran organizations within the GSJS community.

The donation is completely virtual which means the donated packages remain with council, and the council will take care of the distribution at the end of the cookie program.

Girls receive credit for every donation as a box sold and it counts towards their rewards and the troop proceeds. Girls will earn special rewards as they reach different levels of donated packages!

Download a donation receipt for your customers here.

Discover Cookie Share Donation Recipients

Boost Troop Earnings

What is a booth sale? toggle arrow

A booth sale is a public sale that a troop hosts in front of a business. All booth sales must be prearranged between the troop leader and the business location in advance.

All Girl Scout troops planning to conduct one or more booth sales must enter the sale information in Smart Cookie. Once the council verifies there are no conflicts the sale will be approved.

2026 Troop Booth Sale Form

How do I order cookies for a booth sale? toggle arrow

Booth sale cookies can be ordered with your initial order and/or from one of the council’s cookie cupboards. Additional cookies are ordered through eBudde by placing a pending transaction starting in mid February.

How many cookies should I order for my booth sale? toggle arrow

Listed below are suggestions from the bakery for the number of case needed for your booth sales. Please keep in mind the following things to also assist in determining what you will need. Remember, these are only suggestions.

Location of sale: Is this a high traffic area?
Number of hours
Weather conditions

Three-hour sale

Two cases of Thin Mints, Tagalongs & Samoas
One case each of Do-Si-Dos & Trefoils

Six-hour sale

Five cases of Thin Mints
Four cases of Tagalongs & Samoas
Two cases of Do-Si-Dos & Trefoils

Nine-hour sale

Eight cases of Thin Mints
Four cases of Tagalongs & Samoas
Two cases of the rest

Note that the above list only includes the five main varieties. When choosing, you may want to add in smaller amounts of the other varieties.

How do I order Gluten Free cookie options? toggle arrow

The troop's initial order can include gluten free for the following:

Packages ordered on a girl's paper order card/in person sales.
Gluten Free may also be ordered on the booth line for the troop's booth sales or extra inventory.

Troops may also order gluten free from the council cupboards by placing a pending transation starting in late February. Gluten free cookies will be available until supplies are depleated.

Who should checks be made out to? toggle arrow

The best thing to do is ask for checks to be made out to “Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore” as it covers all. This way the checks can be deposited into a troop account.

How many cases of cookies will fit in my car? toggle arrow

The answer to this question depends on the size of your car. You can fit a lot more in a Humvee compared to a Smart Car. In general, follow these guidelines.

Vehicle Type	Cases
Compact	23
Hatchback	30
Mid-sized Sedan	35
SUV	60
Station Wagon	75
Mini-Van (Seats in)	75
Pickup Truck	100
Cargo Van (Seats in)	100

Where do I pick up the cookies? toggle arrow

Troops picking up cases or boxes of cookies must schedule a pick-up date and time with the council through Smart Cookie when placing a planned order.

Cookie cupboard locations:

Camp Sacajawea Infirmary, Farmingdale
Ocean Service Center, Toms River

Can my troop swap or transfer varieties with another troop? toggle arrow

Yes! Just contact productsales@gsfun.org with the giving and receiving troop information and what was transferred. Council will make the transfer in the baker's system.

Will I still be able to swap cookie varieties? toggle arrow

Yes! Stop by either council cupboard during open hours to bring in and exchange cookies. We exchange both individual packages or cases.

What do I do with any cookies that are remaining after my booth sale? toggle arrow

Booth Sale Alternatives

Virtual Booths: Virtual booths—hosted on social media—gives girls a way to achieve their sales goals without leaving home. In fact, girls may find this allows them to discover new ways to take the lead in their cookie business and stay connected through virtual means.

Cookie Drive-Thrus: Troops work with local business to secure a safe location. This gives customers a convenient way to get their cookies by offering a “drive-thru” service. Troops can share locations with their community. Drive thrus require the council’s booth approval.

Lemonade Stands: What is a Lemonade Stand? Lemonade Stands work like booth sales but are held on personal property. Families must work with their troop cookie manager to get inventory and should turn in money to their troop right away, following regular troop procedures for money collection. These do not require approval from GSJS.

Community Walkabouts and Wagon Sales (mobile cookie booths): Grab that cart or wagon and cart cookies around the neighborhood. Get the word out by leaving flyers or door hangers informing everyone how and when girls are planning on selling.

No-Contact Deliveries: Communicate with customers to determine where they would like their cookies dropped off. Consider scheduling trunk pick-ups at a central location and scheduling customer pick-up times to minimize the number of people there at once.

Digital Cookie

What is Digital Cookie? toggle arrow

Digital Cookie is a way for Girl Scouts to add an online option to their Girl Scout Cookie Program experiences. Digital Cookie is managed and coordinated by GSUSA with the majority of its 112 councils participating.

What is the purpose of Digital Cookie? toggle arrow

Digital Cookie is an enhancement of the Girl Scout Cookie Program, coupling traditional sales activities with online sales experiences that teach girls online marketing and ecommerce––all in a digital space that puts an emphasis on learning, fun, and safety. Future versions of Digital Cookie will expand the online program as an educational tool for girls and as an outlet for customers.

Is Digital Cookie a replacement for traditional Girl Scout Cookie activities? toggle arrow

No, it is not. Digital Cookie is a tool available to Girl Scouts but it does not replace the traditional method of selling and buying Girl Scout cookies. We STRONGLY encourage all Girl Scouts to conduct the product sale as they always have and view Digital Cookie as an enhancement to reach customers who were previously out-of-reach. We believe the traditional method of cookie sales enhanced with Digital Cookie is the best way to find success.

How can I order cookies online? toggle arrow

Cookies can only be ordered through a girl and only when girls are actively selling Girl Scout Cookies. Ask a Girl Scout you know if she’s participating. If you need to be put in contact with a Girl Scout to order online, send an email to productsales@gsfun.org. The council will forward your request to a Girl Scout who is participating in the Digital Cookie program.

How are Digital Cookie orders delivered? toggle arrow

Digital cookies can be used to place girl-delivered orders during the initial order phase. Digital cookie orders to be shipped or donated can be placed during the entire cookie sale.

Are there extra expenses for Digital Cookie? toggle arrow

Customers who choose girl delivery will prepay online with a credit card; because the Girl Scout will deliver the Girl Scout Cookies herself, no shipping or handling fees apply. If you choose to have your order shipped to you, the Girl Scout will receive credit for the order and you will be charged a shipping and handling fee. This fee has been established by GSUSA. Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore has no ability to adjust or change these.

Will we be able to accept credit card on the Digital Cookie app? toggle arrow

The digital Cookie app will be able to handle girl-delivered orders, shipped orders, donations and cookies in hand. Stay tuned for the dates when it is active.

Cookie Reward Cards

I Lost My Card, What Can I Do? toggle arrow

GSJS is not responsible for replacing lost cards. However, if a parent can provide the specific sale the card was attributed to, the council will make an attempt to verify the lost card number, the remaining balance and issue a new card. Replacement fee for a lost card is applied.

May I Use My Reward Card To Make A Donation To The Council? toggle arrow

Cookie reward cards can be used as a donation to the council. It must be done in one of our council shop locations.

May I Use My Reward Card To Pay For An Adult Registering For A Qualifying Event? toggle arrow

Reward cards are to be used by girls only and they are not to be used by adults registering for the same event or program.

May I Use My Reward Card To Order Items From GSUSA? toggle arrow

GSJS gift cards can only be redeemed by girls at GSJS for items, programs, and membership. GSUSA gift cards can only be redeemed at GSUSA store, not for programs or membership.

Palm Oil

Why does Girl Scouts use palm oil in their cookies? toggle arrow

Palm oil is an ingredient found in the majority of baked snacks sold in the United States. GSUSA's licensed bakers tell us it continues to be necessary to use palm oil in Girl Scout Cookies to ensure their shelf life, to bring you the highest quality products, and to serve as an alternative to trans fats. While GSUSA continues to explore other alternatives, at this time, there are no viable or readily available alternatives on the market.

Why can't GSUSA's licensed bakers use something different? toggle arrow

The world's food supply is intricately tied to the use of palm oil, so the licensed bakers believe promoting proper manufacturing principles is the most responsible approach to how Girl Scouts and Girl Scout Cookie development is advanced. While the bakers continue to explore other alternatives, at this time, there are no viable or readily available alternatives on the market.

What corrective actions is GSUSA taking to prevent child labor? toggle arrow

To be very clear, child labor has no place in the production of Girl Scout Cookies. If certain suppliers are not following best practices, we expect our bakers and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), of which GSUSA is an affiliate member, to take action quickly to rectify those exceptions.

Why should I buy Girl Scout Cookies? toggle arrow

When you buy Girl Scout Cookies, you are creating opportunities for Girl Scouts to learn, grow, and thrive through the largest girl-led entrepreneurial program in the world. From learning how to interact with customers to creating budgets and taking orders, the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches Girl Scouts invaluable skills that they’ll need to succeed throughout their lives. It's about the experience a girl has running her very own cookie business, gaining five essential skills (goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics) as she learns to think like an entrepreneur. Plus, Girl Scout Cookie proceeds stay local! From trekking through the deep woods to traveling the world, you're helping fuel new experiences and adventures for local Girl Scouts all year long.

Girl Scouts build a better future for themselves and the world. And the Girl Scout Cookie Program makes it all possible, thanks to your support.