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In Kingsport, Tennessee, the Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians gathered at the Kingsport Farmers Market on Sunday for a major cookie distribution event, marking the start of their sales season with an exciting new cookie flavor.
During the event, over 300,000 cookies were distributed, destined for eager pre-order customers and booth sales across the Tri-Cities area for the 2026 cookie season.
Lynne Fugate, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians, shared with News Channel 11 that more than 50 troops will ensure the cookies reach local sales points and are delivered to customers throughout the region.
“Today is a thrilling milestone in our cookie program; the cookies have finally arrived in Southern Appalachia,” Fugate expressed. “The troops who have taken initial orders are here to collect their cookies for the booths, and they’re all driving through to fill up their vehicles with what they’ll be selling this season.”
Customers can look forward to a variety of cookies available at local grocery stores, including this year’s exciting new addition, Exploremores—a Rocky Road-inspired chocolate sandwich cookie.
“We have all the varieties we’re selling, but the one you really need to know about is the brand-new cookie this year called exploremores,” Fugate said. “We have the classics: the trefoils, the thin mints, samoas, tagalongs, do-si-dos, toffee-tastic, and lemon-ups, all the ones that we love.”
Girl Scout Troop Leader Candi Broad told News Channel 11 she was picking up for their Johnson City and Jonesborough local troop 481, with 150 boxes totaling 1,800 packages of cookies.
Broad added that while the cookies are tasty, the annual cookie sale is important for a cause to teach values to the Girl Scouts early on.
“Counting cash, selling the cookies, talking to the customers, our younger girls hold up signs and our volunteer parents help them,” Broad said. “It’s just a really good skill for them to start out with to help them in the future.”
Broad adds that selling cookies teaches Girl Scouts how to earn money to cover expenses and allows Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians to donate to charities.
“Most of our troops usually pick a donation,” Broad said. “Our troop is specifically donating to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital.”
Fugate added that public booth sales in the Appalachian Highlands region will run through March 15. Click here to locate a booth.