Inflation’s impact has extended to a beloved staple of American consumerism: Girl Scout cookies. This year, the price for a box of favorites such as Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs has risen to $7 in New York, marking a $2 increase from the previous year. Meridith Maskara, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Greater New York, notes that this is the first price hike in six years, driven by unavoidable economic pressures affecting the organization’s 25,000 members across New York City’s boroughs.

This price increase is part of a national trend, with varying hikes across the 111 Girl Scout councils in the U.S., each operating independently and negotiating their own contracts with cookie manufacturers. While some areas like New Jersey have seen prices go up to $6 a box, others have maintained or slightly adjusted their pricing.

The Girl Scout organization emphasizes that their focus is on empowering young girls, not cookie sales. The cookie program is a means to funding broader educational goals. Despite concerns that higher prices may affect sales and, consequently, the funding for troop activities and programs, the Girl Scouts remain optimistic. They emphasize the importance of their sales in supporting educational and recreational opportunities for members. For example, the North Carolina troop uses its cookie proceeds for coding and robotics programs. Leaders and troops adapt to these changes, hoping that the community’s loyalty and support for the Girl Scouts’ mission will continue to drive cookie sales, even at higher prices.