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New York Post
25-04-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Brooklyn Girl Scout crowned top cookie seller in NYC
There's a new queen of the cookies. A sweet-talking Brooklynite has been crowned the top Girl Scout cookie seller in all of the five boroughs after hawking more than 2,500 boxes of Tagalongs, Trefoils and Thin Mints, The Post has learned. Bay Ridge's Ashleigh F. rose to the top after two years of being the top Brooklyn seller, this time unseating her very own frenemy, who held the title for three years running. Advertisement 7 Ashleigh F. of Bay Ridge was named the top Girl Scout cookie seller of 2025. Stephen Yang 'It feels really good. There's no other way to describe it,' Ashleigh said, adding that there were some screams when she heard the news. The 12-year-old cadet sold a mouth-watering 2,528 cookies this year — which, at $7 a box, equates to $17,696 in profit. Advertisement The total was more than enough to overtake reigning champ Avianna Spatz of Manhattan, who Ashleigh had come to know through their years as their respective borough's top cookie sellers. 'Me and Ashleigh have been doing Girl Scouts for the past like five years and we've had this little rivalry, like, 'Who can sell them more and who can be the number one seller?' And I've had it for the last three years. It was an amazing feeling to be the best — I'm glad Ashleigh got this,' Avianna, 13, told The Post. The incredible feat was easy enough for Ashleigh, who punched in an average of eight hours per week peddling the iconic treats in Prospect Park — plus countless days manipulating the social media algorithm to reach an even wider audience. The 7th grader used her mother's Facebook as her own personal advertising site, posting tempting snapshots of the sweet treats and upping the cuteness factor in videos that reminded viewers that every purchase directly benefits the Girl Scout troops. Advertisement 7 Ashleigh sold 2,528 boxes of Thin Mints, Tagalongs and more. Stephen Yang They would post the clips on Monday, then her father would share them on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, a friend would comment to re-boost the post, and so on until each garnered upwards of 1,000 views, her father, William, explained. The ingenious marketing technique was a welcome boost, in addition to her already tried-and-true tactics — which involved setting up stand at uber-popular Brooklyn hotspots. 'We go sell them at train stations during the weekdays and during the evening when people are getting home from work, and on nice weekends we go to the park,' Ashleigh said. Advertisement When The Post asked where exactly she sets up shop, the Cadet laughed. It's confidential, she explained — and she's already battling fellow Girl Scouts 7 Ashleigh was the top seller in Brooklyn for two consecutive years. Stephen Yang 'I have to get there early,' she continued. Once set up, the cookie connoisseur lets the sweet treats do all the sweet talking. All Ashleigh has to do is get her customer's attention with an easy smile and an irresistible question: 'Hi. Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?' And if the customer tries to weasle their way out by saying they don't have cash, Ashleigh follows up with the closer: 'We take Venmo!' 7 Ashleigh has been a Girl Scout for seven years. Obtained by the NY Post 7 'It feels really good. There's no other way to describe it,' Ashleigh said on her win. Obtained by the NY Post Advertisement Most customers don't need convincing, she explained — pointing to one man who chased her family down the street after he caught them loading the van with 18 boxes of Do-si-dos, all of which he eagerly took off their hands. Despite her previous success as Brooklyn's top seller, Ashleigh was shocked to hear she took home the top seed in 2025, considering she sold less this year than she had during the two prior years. She hawked 364 more boxes in 2024, and another 41 more the year before — plus Tribecca teen Avianna Spatz had consistently peddled around 5,000 boxes for the past three years. However, the Girl Scouts of Greater New York (GSGNY) was struggling this year. The group sold 1.1 million boxes in 2025, an 8% decline from last year, potentially caused by the $2 price jump for each box. Advertisement 7 Ashleigh rose to the top with the help of her parents, William and Amber, who taught her how to use social media to reach a wider audience. Stephen Yang 'I was quite surprised, because this year we barely made it over my goal of 2,500,' Ashleigh said. 'My dad says people will always spend $20 on cookies, whether it's five boxes or two boxes.' Ashleigh wasn't the only one who climbed to the top this year. Winter, a Brownie, became the top seller for Staten Island after selling 2,500 boxes, a total she tied with new Manhattan seller Naomi. Advertisement Bronx Cadette Kalila and Queens Senior Julia maintained their borough top spots after hawking 2,008 and 1,551 boxes, respectively. The NYC Girl Scouts asked the high-performing scouts' last names not be used protect the young women's privacy. 7 Ashleigh says the secret to being the top cookie seller is knowing the best spots to set up stand. Stephen Yang Reigning champ, Avianna, was completely knocked off the charts this year, but the humble teen said that's just the way the cookie crumbles. The loss was bittersweet for Avianna, who had hopes of winning the title yet again, but was saddled with high school applications, Bat Mitzvah studies and an exploding attraction to volleyball. Advertisement The Manhattanite sold just 600 boxes this year to close the chapter on her time with the Girl Scouts, which she'll be leaving at the end of this spring. But she warned that her little sister Eliana, 5, will continue her legacy. 'I'm excited because my sister, she's going to be starting Girl Scouts soon, so hopefully she can regain the title and get some of that feeling for herself.'
Axios
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Causwells whips up Girl Scout cookie-inspired cocktails
Everyone argues over which Girl Scout cookie is the best. That conversation is a lot more fun if you're arguing over cocktails! Driving the news: Causwells in the Marina is offering a limited edition line-up of Girl Scout cookie-themed cocktails. There are six on the menu, including drinks inspired by Toast-Yays, Adventurefulls and Lemonades, Tagalongs, Samoas and Thin Mints. $1 from the sale of every cocktail goes to Girl Scout troops in Los Angeles affected by wildfires. My thought bubble: Thin Mint cookies are overrated. There, I said it! But the cocktail version was a fun, modern take on the grasshopper and came with its own matching cookie. What to try: Samoas and Lemonades are my favorite cookies and their cocktails were perfectly bright and summery. But my surprise favorite was the Tagalong. It had smoky notes of peanut butter-washed mezcal, tamarind and lime — sipping it, I felt like a Girl Scout who'd grown up to start her own Fortune 500 company.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Biggest Scandals In Girl Scout Cookie History
Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) began as a small troop dedicated to teaching young girls practical skills. At a time when women couldn't vote and were expected to adhere to traditional roles, the organization offered a space for girls to develop community, confidence, and independence. Over the decades, Girl Scouts grew into a nationwide movement, empowering millions through outdoor adventures, diversity campaigns, and educational programs. Of course, we can't forget about the Girl Scouts' iconic cookies. From fans expressing excitement over new cookie releases to hoping that a discontinued favorite will return, the nonprofit has captivated cookie lovers nationwide for over 100 years. What started as a high school fundraising effort evolved into a cultural phenomenon, with Girl Scout cookies becoming a household name and a key part of the institution's identity. Beyond its famous cookies, Girl Scouts has built a strong reputation for fostering entrepreneurship in young girls. Its marketing strategies (including limited-edition cookie flavors and popular snack collaborations with companies like Yoplait and General Mills) have kept the organization relevant in an ever-changing market. Despite Girl Scouts' legacy of empowerment and success, the group and its famous cookies have seen their share of controversy, including cases of alleged embezzlement and more recent concerns over potential toxins. Read more: The 7 Lowest And 6 Highest Quality Ice Cream Brands To Look Out For For years, Girl Scouts has claimed its cookies contain no trans fats, but past labeling practices may have been misleading. Under FDA guidelines, foods with less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving could be labeled as having zero grams of trans fats, even if they contained partially hydrogenated oils. This allowed food manufacturers, including Girl Scouts, to manipulate serving sizes to meet labeling requirements. This means cookies like Thin Mints, Tagalongs, and Samoas once contained small amounts of trans fats while being labeled as trans fat-free. This concern, however, is outdated. In 2015, the FDA began phasing trans fats out of the U.S. food supply after determining that they were broadly unsafe. Manufacturers nationwide were required to comply fully by January 1, 2020, meaning that Girl Scout cookies no longer contain hydrogenated oils today. While the organization has always followed legal guidelines, given its reputation for integrity, Girl Scouts might have benefited from greater transparency about the cookies' contents. The cookies, of course, still contain natural trans fats like butter and milk, but these are not affected by the FDA ban. Girl Scouts has faced repeated criticism for using palm oil in the nonprofit's cookies, an ingredient linked to deforestation and child labor. Despite years of advocacy from members within the institution — including two Girl Scouts who launched a petition in 2011 after learning about palm oil's environmental impact — Girl Scout cookies still contain palm oil. Investigations have found that the palm oil supply chain often involves unsustainable practices that contribute to rainforest destruction, endangering species like orangutans. Additionally, a 2020 report uncovered child and forced labor in the palm oil industry, raising ethical concerns about the sourcing of this ingredient. This controversy is particularly damaging because it contradicts Girl Scouts' values of ethical decision making, responsibility, and supporting local communities. However, the nonprofit has taken steps toward more sustainable routes. Girl Scouts has pledged to source "sustainable" palm oil through the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), though critics argue that this certification does not fully prevent environmental harm or labor exploitation. One reason why Girl Scouts relies so heavily on palm oil is because the organization needed a replacement for hydrogenated oils and trans fats after the FDA determined them to be unsafe. Given Girl Scouts' emphasis on empowering young girls and fostering social responsibility, the organization's unwillingness to fully address these concerns has led to growing frustration among members and activists. In 2018, Patricia Cascione, a former Girl Scouts troop treasurer in Santa Clarita, California, was charged with embezzling more than $58,000 from Girl Scouts of the USA's troops and a Girl Scouts service unit. Cascione volunteered as a treasurer for various LA County Girl Scout troops over the course of 20 years. In 2019, she was found guilty of embezzling over $93,000 over a four-year period from GSUSA and the Beverly Hills Cancer Center. The case concluded with Cascione pleading no contest to the charges, resulting in a sentencing of one year of jail time, followed by five years of probation — in addition to an order to repay the stolen funds. This incident is among several in which Girl Scout leaders have been accused of misappropriating funds. In 2023, a Girl Scout troop treasurer from Delaware was arrested for allegedly stealing over $12,000 from her former troop. Similarly, a former Girl Scout troop leader in Oklahoma was accused of embezzling more than $5,000 from her troop back in 2010. The funds taken were earned from cookie sales and donations intended to honor a Girl Scout leader who had died. Though the motivations varied, these repeated incidents display the need for more financial checks and balances within Girl Scout troops. Money isn't the only asset being stolen from the Girl Scouts. In 2017, Leah Ann Vick, a 26-year-old Girl Scout troop leader from Kentucky, was indicted for allegedly stealing over $26,000 worth of Girl Scout cookies. Over the course of a few months, Vick reportedly collected more than 6,000 boxes. However, when the time came to disperse the cookies to troops and collect the proceeds, Vick was unresponsive, leading to failed attempts by the organization to recover the funds. It was unclear whether Vick had kept the cookies, sold them herself and kept the cash, distributed some to troops and pocketed the proceeds, or a combination of all three. This prompted the nonprofit to involve law enforcement, resulting in her indictment on felony theft charges. The outcome of the legal proceedings remains uncertain from available reports. Girl Scout cookie sales are essential to the financial health of a troop, as the profits allow the young girls to fund educational trips and events. In March 2025, Girl Scouts of the USA faced a class-action lawsuit alleging that its cookies contain harmful substances, including heavy metals and pesticides. This lawsuit, filed by New York resident Amy Mayo, asks for $5 million in damages and for future cookie packaging to clearly disclose the discovered substances. The lawsuit references a 2024 study conducted by Moms Across America and GMO Science, which tested several varieties of cookies. The study reportedly found traces of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury in all samples. The study also found glyphosate, a type of pesticide, in 13 cookies. Girl Scouts responded by affirming that the organization's cookies are safe and comply with all food safety regulations. The organization noted that trace amounts of heavy metals and glyphosate can occur naturally and are commonly found in many varieties of food products. Food safety experts, however, have questioned the study's validity, citing its small sample size and lack of peer review. Time will tell the results of the lawsuit, but rest assured, the cookies still follow FDA guidelines. Read the original article on Mashed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Three-day Girl Scout cookie sale held in Midtown Manhattan
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) — Looking for a box of Thin Mints, Trefoils, or Tagalongs? You are in luck! The Girl Scouts of Greater New York's Troop 6000 is hosting a three-day outdoor cookie sale at Midtown's Grace Plaza at the Bank of America Pavilion at 1114 Sixth Avenue. More Local News Launched in 2017, Girl Scouts of Greater New York's Troop 6000 is a pioneering program designed to support families living in temporary housing within the New York City shelter system. Proceeds will help Troop 6000 bring the Girl Scouts' signature leadership development program to family shelters across New York City. The Bank of America will match the proceeds from every box sold during the cookie sale. The sale runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Feed your sweet tooth. Girl Scout Cookie sales end on March 23 in Erie
You have one week left to buy some Girl Scout Cookies. Sales of Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs and more end March 23, bringing another sweet season to a close. Girl Scouts with Troop 36383 took the EMTA Bayliner trolley to four Erie locations Friday, spreading the word and racking up sales at Erie City Hall, WICU/WSEE, Mercyhurst University and Gannon University. Warm temperatures helped bring lines of people at each stop, with scout Brianna Koket, 12, reporting more than 400 boxes sold. "Meeting new people, learning new things and having fun with my friends," Koket said when listing off benefits to the sale. "Also, good communication skills and being able to hold a conversation with someone." Please enable Javascript to view this content. The Girl Scout Cookie Program supports local troops and empowers young entrepreneurs to develop business and leadership skills. Temperatures nearing 70 degrees brought pedestrians outside, with scouts Anna Terrizzi, 13, and Savannah Zimmer, 11, helping Koket count cash and make change, mark down sales or resupply boxes from the trolley. Cookie fans can use the Cookie Finder at to locate a nearby cookie booth or purchase cookies online for direct shipment from a local troop. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Girl Scout Cookie sales end on March 23 in Erie, PA
