SAN JOSE, CALIF— The Original “Girl Scouts” cookie brand has been rivaled by the newer Girl Scout cookie brand “Great Value.”

In 2015, Walmart’s Great Value brand began producing replicas of popular Girl Scout cookies, starting with Thin Mints, the most well-known flavor, according to Maxwell Alexander, assistant editor-in-chief of the Journalism class. The Great Value version is called Fudge Mint.

The other two replicated flavors are Peanut Butter Patties and Caramel deLites, which Great Value markets as Fudge Covered Peanut Butter and Caramel Coconut, respectively.

Price comparisons reveal a significant difference. A seven-ounce box of Girl Scout Caramel deLites costs $7, while an 8.5-ounce box of Great Value Caramel Coconut costs just $2.92. With a lower price and larger quantity, Walmart’s version offers a more affordable alternative, challenging the value of Girl Scout cookies.

The Girl Scout Peanut Butter Patties face competition from Great Value’s Fudge Covered Peanut Butter. To test this, the Journalism class of Silver Creek High School tasted each flavor from both brands.

One of the most noticeable differences, according to the Journalism staff, was the appearance. For example, the Caramel deLites had vertical fudge strokes, while Great Value’s Caramel Coconut featured a horizontally skewed pattern.

Angelina Galeon, a freshman in Silver Creek High said, “It’s very belittling to Girl Scouts. It’s like stealing from the little girls selling the cookies.”

During the taste test, I ensured the cookies were not mixed up. Participants either used logic to differentiate the cookies or guessed blindly. A good half of the contestants were able to tell apart at least one cookie from the other. Only three staff members Rochelle Agpoon, Alan Corona, and editor-in-chief Jasmine Sessoms were able to guess correctly. However, the majority said they could not tell the difference.

Ultimately, while some could distinguish between the original Girl Scout cookies and their Great Value variants, the majority found them nearly identical in taste and presentation. This raises questions about brand loyalty, pricing, and the true value of the Girl Scout cookie tradition. As Walmart’s more affordable versions continue to gain popularity, the debate over supporting the girl scout brand is due to loyalty or taking advantage of Great Value’s cheaper prices.