Why is there a cookie shortage? According to our baker, Little

Why is there a cookie shortage?
According to our baker, Little Brownie Bakers, national sales of Girl Scout Cookies are higher than
expected this year which has resulted in tightness in cookie inventory. This resulted in their inability to
meet cookie orders at the dates originally requested. It was made worse by winter weather that
resulted in a plant shutdown for two days in February and an ingredient delivery delay in late February.
Are all Little Brownie Bakers councils affected?
Yes, all Little Brownie Bakers councils are affected in some way. While conditions are challenging, the
bakery is producing cookies on a 24/7 schedule and working with transportation partners to develop an
alternative inventory deployment.
Who is affected with initial order cookie delivery?
All of our 64 Service Units and the entire council will be affected by the delivery delay. The initial order
cookies are now scheduled for delivery the Week of April 13.
Why do neighboring councils have cookies and we don't?
Every Girl Scout council schedules their own cookie sale independently from neighboring councils based
on local school calendars and other factors, such as weather. Based on the timing of their cookie season,
it’s possible some councils may have cookies earlier and/or later than we do.
Why are troops not able to receive partial shipments?
We are not able to provide you with a partial initial order shipment due to not having the cookies
available to ship. If we had them available, we would not hesitate to provide the cookies to our girls.
Will we be able to reduce our initial cookie orders?
No, you will not be able to change your girl initial cookie orders. However, if you ordered Booth cookies
on your initial orders, we will work with you to change that amount -- as needed.
Why were there cookies for Badge Bash?
We had cookies for Badge Bash because those were cookie samples we received in the fall prior to the
cookie shortage. The only variety offered at the event was Rah Rah Raisin. No other option was available
to the guests.
Why do we have cookies for the Expos?
The Expo cookie orders are placed upon our return from the holiday so we can have them in time for the
event. Since the order was received prior to the cookie shortage, they were delivered to the Corrigan
warehouse a couple of weeks ago.
What if a girl has customers who cancel their orders due to delays?
If a girl has a costumer who cancels their order please let the customer know that the cookie program is
about more than just cookies. It’s about teaching five financial literacy skills that all employers are
looking for. And, it’s about investing in girls and their future. If you still have cancelled orders, please let
us know so we can help resolve the situation.
Why isn’t Community Cookie Booth Day happening March 14?
We are not hosting Community Cookie Booth day on March 14 because the initial order delivery is being
moved to the week of April 13. It is now rescheduled for Saturday, April 18. The Community Cookie
Booth location you signed up for in ebudde will be honored and moved from March 14 to April 18. We
are extending the return of cookies through April 20 if you choose to have a booth sale on that Sunday.
* This is only for cookies that are picked up from council Wednesday – Friday, April 15 – 18.
When is the cookie payment due?
Thursday, April 30
Bank Sweep for 50% of Initial Orders
Thursday, May 7
Bank Sweep for the remaining 50% of initial orders
Tuesday, May 19
Booth Sale & Cookie Station Bank Sweeps
Tuesday, May 26
Clean up Bank Sweep
Is the Gluten Free cookie still available?
Our council was chosen as a pilot for the new gluten-free cookie; Toffee-Tastic. Because of the pilot our
council was allotted a small quantity of this cookie to offer for sale during Expos and Community Cookie
Cupboards. What remains after that will be available for regular booth sales.
Will there still be Cookie Cupboards available?
We will be connecting with volunteers who host the cookie cupboards to verify if this is still something
they are able to host at their locations. A complete list will be provided soon.
Will troops still be able to have Cookie Booths?
Yes, cookie booths will begin April 18 through May 16.
Will we be able to participate in the GSUSA Bling Your Booth Contest?
Yes, the GSUSA contest ends April 30. Check out full contest rules on the Girl Scouts of the USA
Facebook page or at https://gsusa.wpp.box.com/s/le848308j88513qgxt94.
Is the Build-My-Sales Promotion still happening?
Build-My-Sale Promotion is from February 21 through March 15. Girls could win one of 30 assembled
Build-A-Bears. For every 24 packages sold, a girl will get one entry into the drawing. The deadline to
submit your forms is March 15 at 11:59 pm to the fax numbers on the forms. Be sure to include the girl’s
full name and troop number on each of the forms. Winners will be notified by council.
Are the girls receiving their cookie rewards?
Yes, girls will be receiving their cookie rewards the week of June 8.
How does this impact Early Bird and the 2016 Cookie Membership reward voucher?
Due to the cookie sale calendar shifting we have also extended the Early Bird and the 2016 membership
cookie reward voucher deadline to August 17.
Will we have the cookie dough in time to use for camp payment?
The girls will be able to use their cookie dough for camp payment. We are working on a procedure to
best make this happen with cookie dough reward currently being scheduled to arrive after the camp
payment deadline.
When will the Annual Finance Report be due?
Due to the clean up bank sweep happening May 26 we are moving the deadline of the Annual Troop
Finance Report to July 1.
Is the media being notified to inform external customers?
Our MarCom Department is currently working on an external communication to go out in the next day
or so. We are also including a document for girls to provide to their customers if they happen to ask
any questions.
Who will be notifying the girls and parents?
We have a parent/girl message for volunteers to provide to their cookie sale participating families. If
further questions arise, they may also contact Council by using the cookies2015@gsmists.org email.
3275 Walker Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
www.gsmists.org
844.GSMISTS
616.784.3341