Girl Scout cookie season used to be a time of delight for cookie lovers across the country, but one TikToker is rallying people to share her frustrations about how things have changed in recent years.
Jennifer Rose, a TikTok user known as @younger_than_tomorrow, has called out Girl Scout cookies for ‘shrinkflation,’ claiming there are fewer cookies than labeled. In a video, she expressed her disappointment, saying, ‘If you can’t trust Girl Scouts, who can you trust?’
Rose showcased the Nutrition Facts panel on her box of Thin Mints, pointing out that the box claimed to contain eight servings of four cookies each, which should equal 32 cookies in a box. However, upon opening the box, she found just 14 cookies in an unopened sleeve, contrary to the advertised quantity.
While a 2022 flyer on the Girl Scouts Los Angeles website vaguely insists that cookie sizes haven’t changed, it is known that the overall size of some boxes changed back in 2009. At that time, the decision was made to ‘lower the weight of the cookies rather than asking the customers to pay more,’ according to then-spokeswoman Michelle Tompkins. The Los Angeles Times cited the nationwide average price as $3.50 per box at the time. Now, prices in many locations are up to $6 per box but range from $5-7 depending on the specific troop.
Rose’s video has resonated with others who have also noticed discrepancies in the quantity of cookies. Commenters shared similar experiences, with one claiming their Dosidoes were short 4 cookies, and another expressing disappointment at the decrease in quantity from 44 to 22 in a sleeve. A Girl Scout leader also voiced frustration, stating, ‘I get so frustrated with shrinkflation in our cookies.’
Some viewers suggested buying off-brand cookies in stores or making small donations to the girls at booths instead of purchasing Girl Scout cookies. Others admitted to turning to store-bought alternatives due to the increasing price and decreasing product quantity.
The dissatisfaction expressed by Rose and other consumers raises concerns about the transparency and consistency of Girl Scout cookie offerings. As the debate over shrinkflation and product quality continues, it remains to be seen how the Girl Scouts organization will address these issues and maintain the trust of its customers.
