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Philly Parents Baked the First Girl Scout Cookies in 1932
3 Mar
Summary
- The first Girl Scout cookies were baked in Philadelphia in 1932.
- The fundraiser became the country's most successful youth-led initiative.
- Over 200 million boxes are now sold annually worldwide.
The origins of the massive Girl Scout cookie enterprise trace back to a 1932 experiment in Philadelphia. Parents of local Girl Scouts, who worked at Philadelphia Gas and Electric (now PECO), utilized company ovens on North Broad Street to bake cookies in bulk for fundraising.
The enticing aroma of baking cookies drew passersby, sparking immediate interest and sales. By 1934, the Girl Scouts of Greater Philadelphia formalized this into the first commercial cookie sale through a partnership with Keebler, promoting sales through various community channels.
This innovative fundraising model proved so successful that it was adopted by the national organization just two years later. It has since grown into the largest girl-led business globally, with troops nationwide now selling approximately 200 million boxes each year.
Seventy-five cents of every dollar earned is reinvested into Girl Scout programs, supporting activities, travel, and projects. The tradition continues to celebrate the entrepreneurial vision of those early Philadelphia participants, with current sales extended through March 22nd this year due to cold weather.
