We’ve all been confronted by those little schoolgirls on Driscoll or walking into Safeway, more than a few of us guilted into purchasing a box or two of cookies. But what lies behind those sales pitches and inside those Girl Scout cookies? The Girl Scouts website states that girls “need ways to learn about social justice issues that will turn their empathy, interest, and compassion into action.” Developing people’s sense of compassion is a mission that genuinely should be strived for in more arenas. Instilling moral values and the ability to engage in activism on their behalf are invaluable qualities. But do those cookies, that are so integrated into the Scout experience, support this mission of kindness?
Unfortunately, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals would respond with “no” and are calling for some of their cookies to have a cruelty-free transformation.
Selling these cookies provides them with the opportunity to not only participate in more scouting, but to “better their world.” This may not be reflected in their product, however. The majority of Girl Scout cookies are not vegan, which means they contain either eggs and/or dairy. Through this immense production they are supporting an industry that exploits and abuses animals. Not just any animals: mothers, daughters and sisters of the farming world. The money raised to continue the empowerment of girls is contributing to systematic degrading and violence towards millions of females.
Shifts towards more inclusive and compassionate cookie options have begun and should be supported. Unbeknownst to cookie gobblers Girl Scout cookies are produced by two separate companies depending on what region they’re in, either the Little Brownie Bakers (LBB) or ABC Bakers. These companies are not affiliated with one another despite supplying nearly identical cookies. ABC has a significant and impressive advantage over LBB: they offer vegan and gluten-free options.
With veganism trending and being an option that better maintains the Scout mission, it only makes sense for these companies to evolve in that direction, and ABC did not wait long to jump on board. Currently they provide four all-vegan cookies and one non-vegan gluten-free cookie. ABC’s Lemonades, Peanut Butter Patties, Thin-Mints and Thanks-A-Lots are all vegan and their gluten-free option is a chocolate chip shortbread. Though LBB also bakes Thin-Mints and Peanut Butter Patties (Tagalongs) they have refused to remove the whey (milk byproduct) from their recipe. When asked about vegan options they responded with, “Little Brownie Bakers does not label our cookies vegetarian or vegan because there are varying definitions for these terms.” Except it’s pretty cut and dry in reality: If they removed the whey from the cookies ABC has already piloted, they would be vegan and could therefore be labeled as such.
The purpose of Girl Scouts is to develop young girls into strong, compassionate young ladies. Let us begin by encouraging more vegan cookies to be sold and therefore embody their mission of bettering the world. Sign this petition to encourage Little Brownie Bakers to incorporate vegan options.
