The story behind the new Girl Scout Cookie, Raspberry Rally : NPR
Girl Scouts of America
A new Girl Scout cookie has joined the lineup. Meet the Raspberry Rally, which is known as the sister of the iconic Thin Mint. Or is it a challenger?
Wendy Lou, director of revenue for Girl Scouts of America, told NPR: “We’re hoping that we’ll hear some healthy competition from everyone – maybe a Mint-Raspberry battle Little Rally”.
Usually, Girl Scouts rolls out a cookie with a new design, completely unlike its predecessors. Re-imagining a cookie with an existing format is something new for them, Lou said. But even though the Raspberry Rally can be compared to the slim Mint, the Girl Scouts still have to develop its flavor and color inside.
From concept to production, it took about two years to launch a new Girl Scout Cookie. The Girl Scouts of America, aka GSUSA, first conducts market research and gets input from the Girl Scout army and cookie aficionados for ideas. The company also studies consumer trends to see what’s popular. Because berry flavors are currently popular, They realized that a raspberry cookie could be successful, says Lou.
After the research phase, GSUSA tested their top ideas with Girl Scout Cookie lovers. Once the organization learns what is of interest to its fans, it will work with its bakers to research flavors and develop recipes.
“It’s a bit light and sweet but not overwhelming […] You feel like you could eat 20 of them,” Lou said.
Girl Scouts of America
The new cookie then goes through a naming process, as well as final tests with an advisory group of Girl Scouts from around the country. to make sure it has been approved by the scout. They helped select the Raspberry Rally as the winner.
This year’s Girl Scouts’ slogan is “Ready, get ready, assemble!” The annual event that each troop organizes to kick off their cookie season is called a rally, but the word “rally” also celebrates the spirit of the community coming together to support the Girl Scouts. , Lou said.
The Raspberry Rally will only be available online during the local cookie season, along with the rest of the Girl Scout Cookie lineup. Seasons vary across the country, but typically fall between January and April. According to the Girl Scouts’ website, profits from the sale of cookies remain local and fund community activities and projects for each soldier.
Lots of other cookies are on sale, but Lou said she can’t share what they are, as the Girl Scouts will likely make them in a year. For the last few years, the Girl Scouts have released a new cookie every year, and Lou said it’s still being released around how long the cookies will last.