Cookie lovers are mourning the discontinuation of an especially popular Girls Scouts cookie known as Raspberry Rally.
“Last year, Raspberry Rally cookies were introduced as part of a pilot online-only sales strategy,” a Girl Scout spokesperson told Today. “This was a fun and new way to teach girls omnichannel business skills and expand our cookie portfolio by introducing an exciting new flavor profile to the Girl Scout Cookie Program.”
“While Raspberry Rally was extremely popular last year, we are taking a pause this season to prioritize supplying our classic varieties,” the spokesperson added.
And so the Girl Scouts will not be selling the coveted cookie this upcoming season, which starts in January and continues until April. And this despite the cookie, which was introduced last year as a “sister” cookie to Thin Mints and sold exclusively online, having since become a cult classic.
It was such a cult classic that it reportedly sold out in only two months:
Timeline of the Raspberry Rally Girl Scout cookie:
• August ’22: introduced as online exclusive
• February ’23: sold out after 2 months, selling for as much as $70 on eBay
• October ’23: discontinued for 2024
A short but eventful life ️ pic.twitter.com/eDAbKvFlFw
— Morning Brew ☕️ (@MorningBrew) October 6, 2023
After it officially sold out, some purchasers decided to resell theirs for outrageous prices.
“Raspberry Rallys are now being resold on eBay, which currently features buy-it-now prices ranging from $15 for one box to a whopping $400 for a case of $12 boxes. …In comparison, the Girl Scouts’ price was $5 to $6 per box,” Salon confirmed at the time.
The official Girl Scouts program was not pleased by this development.
“Girl Scouts of the USA is disappointed to see unauthorized resales of Girl Scout cookies online through third-party e-commerce platforms,” a Girls Scout spokesperson told Today at the time.
“While we are happy that there’s such a strong demand for our cookies year-over-year, we’re saddened that the platforms and the sellers are disregarding the core mission of the cookie program and are looking to make a profit off of the name without supporting our mission and the largest girl-led entrepreneurship program in the world,” they added.
Hey @ebay, how about taking down the 281+ listings (that I saw) for Raspberry Rally @girlscout cookies for price gouging. These $6 cookies are listing for $30-$100 on eBay. Be the adult in the room. Take them down.
— Anna (@woollykat) March 5, 2023
In a separate statement to Salon, the organization stressed its mission, which is to empower young girls with the “opportunity” to learn valuable life skills.
“Cookie sales are critical to Girl Scouts programs. We like to remind all cookie customers that the proceeds stay local and are critical to fund troops’ activities throughout the year. Participating in the Girl Scout Cookie Program gives girls the opportunity to not only learn the valuable life skills of goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics, but to gain confidence and make new lifelong friends,” the statement reads.
“Every year, cookie sales start and end on a rolling basis across the country, varying by council. Both bakeries producing Girl Scout Cookies have reported supply chain issues. We encourage cookie customers to find a local booth, try different flavors if their first choice isn’t available or donate to their local council’s cookie donation program to support the largest girl-led entrepreneurship program in the world,” it continues.
Notice what they said about supply chain issues. Inflation is also an issue.
Inflation is a MF !! Not the Girl Scouts pic.twitter.com/4MI2k3gNvu
— PocaHotnass (@hethiccthicc) October 5, 2023
“This year, not even Girl Scout cookies are immune from inflation: Some chapters have announced that they will sell for $6 per box this upcoming coming cookie season -— an increase of a $1 on some varieties from last year,” CNN confirmed this week.
“Some cookies, like S’mores and Toffee-Tastic, were already priced at $6. But now the higher price will apply to other cookies that the troops sell, including the more classic varieties. Troops across the country announced price increase from $4 to $5 a box in 2014 and 2015,” according to CNN.
And so to recap, the last time the price increased was under former President Barack Hussein Obama. Conversely, it remained the same throughout former President Donald Trump’s presidency. And now, under President Joe Biden, it’s going back up again.
Hmm …
Dovetailing back to Raspberry Rally’s discontinuation, it’s inspired a little lighthearted grief.
Look:
RIP Raspberry Rally cookies. You were tasty. You were delicious. You were a taste explosion in my mouth. You will be missed. #Girlscouts #RaspberryRally
— Bill West (@BillWest5) October 6, 2023
Sometimes, that’s just how the cookie crumbles.
The Girl Scouts of the USA confirmed this week that the popular Raspberry Rally cookies will sadly not be returning for the upcoming cookie season.
pic.twitter.com/SfPv1Hfx59— Parade Mag (@ParadeMagazine) October 5, 2023
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V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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