Changes in Girl Scout Cookies
February 19th, 2009
I can understand that times have changed since I was a kid, but it seems like the core Girl Scout cookies remained the same until recent years. I hadn’t noticed differences in my favorite Tagalongs, Samoas, Do-si-dos, or Thin Mints since I was a kid. I had noticed the changes in prices, but that is certainly to be expected. I think when I sold my first box of cookies, the price was less than a dollar. Now they sell at $3.50 per box. I’m not complaining about the price, and I am supportive of the Girl Scouts organization.
In recent years, they changed the names. Tagalongs are now Peanut Butter Patties, Samoas are now Caramel Delights, and Do-si-dos are now Peanut Butter Sandwiches. They will always be Tagalongs, Samoas, and Do-si-dos to me, but that’s ok.
Costs of making the cookies have risen, and I hear that there’s less cookies per box than there have been in the past. I can understand this change as well.
I even understand the need to make the cookies “healthier” in order to continue selling them effectively, though I would prefer they offer some “better” choices and leave the old fatty cookies alone. Offer the original Tagalongs and a new Tagalongs Lite, if you want. If given a choice, I’d buy the original recipe cookie EVERY TIME. The Girl Scout cookies have been under scrutiny for excessive calories, trans fats, etc. I even noticed that a few varieties have high fructose corn syrup. Let’s be honest - we’re not ordering Girl Scout cookies because they fit into our diets. It’s a darn good thing that they only arrive once a year.
I really miss my old Tagalongs. I hear that they made a huge change to the cookie recipe last year, and they claim that the old recipe is back. It is still different. I’m just glad that I didn’t try it last year. Having eaten MANY boxes of Tagalongs through the years, I contend that the peanut butter is NOT the same. The consistency and flavor is different. The cookie is smaller. Also, it used to be one of the most satisfying snack foods for me, given my weird snack food tendencies. The edges no longer have peanut butter, only the center. This makes it almost impossible to peel away the chocolate (and formerly peanut butter) edges first, then the chocolate/peanut butter in the center, then eat the cookie insides. I know, this probably doesn’t make sense to most of you, but it’s just not as satisfying. It’s not quite as tasty, either. I have to say that it didn’t keep me from consuming an entire row on my way home from work yesterday. They are still tasty…just not the cookie I have known and loved for so many years.
I may have to choose a new favorite. The Lemonades are quite the candidate. I had a box of those for the first time this year, and I’ve already put in an order for another box. I hear I will love the Thanks-a-Lots as well. I’m looking forward to trying those, too.
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February 20th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
What? They changed the name of Samoas? What? the cookies are in? We ordered some and I don’t have them yet!!!!!! I neeeeed my SAMOAS!!!!!!!!
February 20th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
The name change was a result of two councils merging in NC. The Pines of Carolinas GS Council merged with the Coastal Plains GS Council to form the new, bigger Carolina Coastal Pines GS Council. The two councils had each contracted with different bakers in previous years. When they merged, they had to choose one baker. The council ended up going with the baker that the Coastal Plains council had used in the past, rather than the one that has been used in the past around here. So… we got stuck with the cookie names that that particular baker uses. Other places in the country are still using the traditional names. The types of cookies that are sold are different in different parts of the country too. We’re stuck with the new boring names - PB patties, PB sandwiches, and caramel delights, but at least we have the Lemonades and Thanks a Lots that are tasty! Not every council has those!
I can hook Shannon up with as many Samoas as she wants… just tell her to email me. I can deliver them through you, or run by her house, or whatever.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:05 am
I never heard of a Samoa until I met you in college.
Growing up, for us, they were always Caramel Delights.
And I Love Thanks a Lots.