As Girl Scouts across the U.S. kickoff the return of cookie season Wednesday, the young and budding entrepreneurs will once again incorporate a hybrid selling model with online ordering and in-person selling.
From virtual cookie booths to drive-thru contact-less cookie stands, Girl Scouts over the last two seasons during the pandemic learned new insights into the distribution process of food delivery services and hands-on order fulfillment.
After success last year with GrubHub, even amid the pandemic, the Girl Scouts of the USA will adapt their selling methods for the 2022 season with on-demand delivery exclusively powered by DoorDash starting in February.
"As a Girl Scouts cookie lover myself, I am so excited to welcome Girl Scouts of the USA to our platform, providing a fast and convenient option for customers to access beloved Girl Scout Cookies on-demand, while empowering Girl Scouts to meaningfully grow their cookie businesses," Shanna Prevé, DoorDash’s VP of strategic partnerships and business development, said in a statement. "Through this collaboration, we aim to provide access and opportunity for Girl Scouts, while providing their neighborhoods with safe, efficient, and enjoyable ways to support their local troops."
Interim GSUSA CEO Judith Batty hailed the Girl Scouts for their success in the 2021 season and said, "We're inspired by the resilience and ingenuity of our girls and can’t wait to bring this renewed girl-led innovation into the 2022 Girl Scout Cookie Program. You may see cookies, but there is really leadership and adventure in each box."
According to GSUSA, DoorDash will make it possible for consumers in participating U.S. markets, who don’t already know a Girl Scout, to purchase cookies for on-demand delivery or for pickup at a nearby booth.
"As part of the entrepreneurial experience, local Girl Scouts will track and fulfill orders, manage inventory, and more, partnering with DoorDash’s technology and team," the press release explained. "In select areas, consumers can order Girl Scout Cookies in January for pickup or delivery on DoorDash.com or the DoorDash app, with expanded on-demand delivery beginning in February."
The Girl Scouts lineup will bring back favorites like Thin Mints and Tag Alongs and has added a new salted caramel flavored brownie cookie dubbed, Adventurefuls. Read more about the new treat here.
"For past two seasons, girl entrepreneurs hosted virtual cookie booths, drive-thru contact-less cookie stands, and learned the distribution process behind food delivery services through hands-on order fulfillment," the organization said in a statement. "In real-time with the entrepreneurial community across the US, Girl Scouts practiced adaptability and resilience to innovate solutions to unprecedented challenges."
All proceeds benefit Girl Scout troops and the local councils, to power their experiences and create programming and facilitation of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.