GARDNER — Local shoppers may have recently noticed an item on the shelves at Price Chopper that they normally wouldn’t see — Girl Scout cookies. As with the case of most things unusual these days, the pandemic shutdown is the reason the chain of supermarkets has stepped in to make the cookies available to their customers.
“It is not at all ordinary to see Girl Scout cookies sold inside the grocery store without Girl Scouts present, but these are not ordinary times,” said Dana Carnegie, the communications manager for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts.
Carnegie said the group that she oversees, which includes more than 7,000 Scouts in the state, had managed to complete its cookies sales program just before the coronavirus pandemic would have shut it down.
“Our sister Girl Scouts in northeastern New York were not so fortunate, as they had just received their entire inventory of cookies, and the girls were not able to participate in their cookie program due to COVID-19 restrictions,” Carnegie said.
That’s when the New York council of Girl Scouts approached Price Chopper officials to see if they might be interested in helping the girls sell cookies in their stores in New York, Pennsylvania and New England. The plan was approved in early June, and it became clear immediately that customers approved, especially in Gardner.
“They’re selling everywhere, but this store is one of the best (locations),” said Anthony Foti, the grocery manager at the Gardner Price Chopper. “We’ve gone through a lot. I couldn’t tell you how many, but we’ve gone through at least six pallets.”
At the company’s request, the cookies have been given prime real estate space in the store. Customers will easily spot the large display of Thin Mints, Samoas, Trefoils and other flavors right in front of the check-out lanes. It was a sales strategy that worked a little too well, according to Foti.
“The corporate office wanted us to put the displays up front a few weeks ago, but I went through (the cookies) so quickly that I couldn’t keep up (with demand) at first,” he said.
Carnegie said she was pleased that her organization could assist fellow Girl Scouts in a neighboring state.
“Without the revenue from their Cookie Program, Girl Scout troops and the council would have difficulties funding their Girl Scout Leadership Experience,” Carnegie said. “We are more than happy to help.”
She said the New York council is sending a portion of its cookie proceeds to the Massachusetts Scouts in appreciation for their efforts. The money will be used to cover the cost of membership for a Girl Scout leader and co-leader who commit to continuing their troop into next year so that their Scouts can look forward to the continuity of their Girl Scout experience, she said.
And Price Chopper customers apparently have been enjoying the opportunity to support the Girl Scouts by picking up a few boxes of their favorite cookies.
“They love it,” Foti said. “They’re very surprised when the see Girl Scout cookies available.”
Even Foti, who admitted to not being much of a cookie fan, said he had purchased a box of Thin Mints.
Price Chopper has said they are planning on making the cookies available in its stores until the middle of August, but Foti said the deadline could be extended depending on the available supply.
The Link LonkJuly 11, 2020 at 03:37AM
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Girl Scout cookies flying off the shelves at Gardner Price Chopper - The Gardner News
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