ABC Bakers

Introduction / Overview

When Virginians think of a local bakery, they often picture a neighborhood shop with fresh bread and custom cakes. However, in the heart of Richmond, VA, there is a powerful operation with a profound national impact that falls under the category of a "bakery": **ABC Bakers**. Located at 3951 Westerre Pkwy, this establishment is not a typical retail storefront but a corporate office and a crucial piece of the national infrastructure behind one of America's most beloved annual traditions—the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

ABC Bakers is one of only two licensed commercial bakers that produce the iconic Girl Scout Cookies sold across the entire United States. The company holds a deep and rich history with the program, having been involved in baking these famous treats since 1937. For many years, the company's predecessors, like Southern Biscuit Co. (later Interbake Foods), had production facilities right here in the Commonwealth, cementing a long-standing baking tradition in Virginia. While current primary production may be elsewhere, the company maintains an important administrative and historical footprint in Richmond.

The core mission of ABC Bakers is to deliver high-quality, delicious cookies and support Girl Scout Councils, including those within Virginia, in running the world's largest girl-led entrepreneurial program. Every box of Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, or Peanut Butter Patties sourced from ABC Bakers is the result of their extensive operation, which empowers young girls with essential life skills through entrepreneurship. It is important for local Virginia users to understand that when they purchase these cookies, they are supporting a network with deep Richmond ties.

It is noted that recent public feedback has expressed concern regarding changes in product quality, with one Virginia customer stating they are "feeling very disappointed and frustrated this year" over products like the "peanut butter sandwich," noting it was "very dry and chalky" with less flavor, and questioning the value of paying a higher price for a "poor quality product." Another review echoed this sentiment, lamenting, "What has happened to Girl Scout cookies??? Nothing good tasting anymore." ABC Bakers, as a major food producer, is continuously navigating consumer expectations and ingredient changes, such as committing to certified sustainable palm oil and offering gluten-free and vegan options. However, these reviews highlight the critical, ongoing dialogue between a major commercial bakery and its dedicated customer base across Virginia and the nation, underscoring the passion people have for the tradition.

Location and Accessibility

The corporate and business location for ABC Bakers is found in the Westerre Parkway area of Richmond, VA. This part of the city is known for its concentration of professional and commercial offices, offering convenient access for business operations across the state.

The specific location is: 3951 Westerre Pkwy #260, Richmond, VA 23233, USA.

Accessibility at this office location is thoughtfully managed to meet standard professional access requirements. Available information confirms key accessibility features necessary for visitor comfort and compliance:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance: Ensures ease of access for all visitors to the facility's office space.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot: Provides designated and accessible parking spaces near the entrance.

As a corporate environment, visits are generally oriented towards quick business visits, reflecting the nature of a major national food producer's administrative hub rather than a consumer-facing retail bakery. Payments for products handled through this corporate entity generally involve professional transactions, accepting standard methods:

• Credit cards
• Debit cards

Services Offered

As one of the nation's two licensed Girl Scout Cookie producers, the primary "services" provided by ABC Bakers are comprehensive and support the entire cookie program lifecycle for participating councils.

• National Cookie Production and Distribution: Baking and delivering a wide variety of official Girl Scout Cookies to councils across the country, utilizing a modern, large-scale production facility.
• Cookie Variety and Product Development: Offering a distinct line of cookies with specific names (e.g., Caramel deLites®, Peanut Butter Patties®, Lemonades®) and continually developing new flavors, including vegan and gluten-free options like Caramel Chocolate Chip.
• Supply Chain and Inventory Management: Managing the complex logistics of storing, distributing, and tracking millions of cookie boxes to local Girl Scout troops during the annual sale window.
• Digital Sales Platform: Providing councils and troops with the "Smart Cookies" platform and other digital tools to facilitate online sales, order taking, and inventory management, supporting the girls' entrepreneurial education.
• Takeout (Seasonal Retail): Supporting the Girl Scouts' primary retail service model—selling cookies for consumption at home, typically through direct order or cookie booths.
• Allergen and Quality Control: Committing to detailed allergen labeling and quality control processes, including the use of state-of-the-art facilities and third-party audits to ensure product safety.

Features / Highlights

The corporate presence of ABC Bakers in Richmond, VA, highlights a unique and historic feature within the state’s food industry landscape.

• Historic Girl Scout Baker: ABC Bakers is the oldest licensed Girl Scout Cookie baker in the United States, having been in operation since 1937, with roots tied directly to Richmond's Southern Biscuit Co. and Interbake Foods.
• Girl-Led Entrepreneurship Focus: Provides the physical product and digital tools (like Smart Cookies) that power the largest female youth entrepreneurship program in the world, teaching girls essential life skills.
• Commitment to Sustainable Sourcing: A member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), ensuring all palm oil used in their cookies is RSPO Certified Mass Balance, aligning with modern consumer values in Virginia.
• Diverse Cookie Lineup: Produces popular varieties like Thin Mints®, Peanut Butter Patties®, and Caramel deLites®, as well as innovative cookies like Adventurefuls® and the gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip.
• Vegan and Allergen Options: Actively caters to dietary needs by offering multiple cookies made with vegan ingredients and a certified gluten-free option, demonstrating adaptability in the commercial baking sector.

Contact Information

As a major commercial entity, contact for ABC Bakers’ Richmond, VA, office is primarily for business and administrative inquiries related to their operations.

Address: 3951 Westerre Pkwy #260, Richmond, VA 23233, USA

Phone: (800) 221-1002

What is worth choosing

For Virginians, choosing to support the Girl Scout Cookie Program, which is fundamentally tied to ABC Bakers, is worth choosing for several compelling reasons that extend beyond a simple treat purchase. Firstly, you are choosing to support a massive **local and national philanthropic effort** whose product is, in part, administered right here in Richmond, VA. One hundred percent of the proceeds from cookie sales stay with the local Girl Scout Council, directly funding unforgettable experiences, community service projects, and life-skill development for girls across the Commonwealth. The cookies are merely the currency for these vital programs.

Secondly, while the recent negative reviews reflect valid consumer concerns about quality and cost, it is worth choosing to engage with the product as a **commitment to a Virginia tradition and the entrepreneurial spirit**. The business history of ABC Bakers in Richmond is a deep part of the region's commercial and food legacy. By purchasing the cookies, you engage in this long-standing tradition. Furthermore, the company’s efforts to adapt, such as offering vegan and gluten-free choices and committing to sustainable practices, reflect a modern corporate responsibility that is important to support. The convenience of finding these products through local troop sales or online ordering is part of the efficient service model administered by this Richmond-based operation. Ultimately, choosing a cookie from ABC Bakers is choosing to be a direct investor in the next generation of female leaders in Virginia.

ABC Bakers

3951 Westerre Pkwy #260, Richmond, VA 23233, USA