Countdown to cookies – 40 days

Girl Scout members of the Gateway Council are preparing for the arrival of cases of Trefoils, Do-Si-Dos, Samoas, Dulce De Leche, Thank U Berry Munch, Tagalongs, Thin Mints and, in a special tribute of the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting, the introduction of “Savannah Smiles”.

St Johns County Commission candidate Bill McClure took a moment during the Republican Executive Committee meeting last night to preorder his cookies.

The famous Girl Scout Cookie Season is about to start in the next 40 days. The $700 million Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the country and generates immeasurable benefits for girls, their councils and communities nationwide.

But, before the tasty treats start to show up in booths and kitchen pantries around St Augustine, bakers will be consuming 1,050,000 pounds of flour, 300,000 pounds of shortening, 50,000 pounds of cocoa, 500,000 pounds of chocolate coating, 650,000 pounds of sugar, 230,000 pounds of peanut butter and 75,000 pounds of toasted coconut — every week!

Little Brownie, one of the two licensed bakers who create and package Girl Scout cookies, says that they bake over 4.5 million Thin Mints per day during peak baking times. Thin Mints are the largest seller; accounting for 25% of the total sales of Girl Scout cookies.

All of the proceeds from a local council’s cookie sales remain in the area where the cookies are sold — every penny. The activity of selling cookies is directly related to helping all girls realize their full potential to become strong, confident, and resourceful citizens.

Many successful women in business today say that they got their start selling Girl Scout cookies. So, when your local Girl Scouts visit, remember you are saying “hello” to tomorrow’s business leaders.

Photo credits: © 2012 Historic City News staff photographer