More Than Just Cookies: Girl Scouts Share Pantry-Friendly Recipes to Fight Hunger As Girl Scout Cookie Season kicks off, we often think of Thin Mints, Samoas, and Trefoils. But Girl Scouts do more than just sell cookies—they’re dedicated to service, leadership, and making a difference in their communities. This past fall, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania‘s Troop 2315 put these values into action by creating a collection of nutritious, budget-friendly recipes using common food pantry staples. And they didn’t stop there—they braved a rainy day to share samples of their recipes at one of Bucks County Housing Group’s food distribution events at our Doylestown pantry. Cooking Healthy on a Budget: The Challenge of Food Insecurity For families experiencing food insecurity, access to healthy food is often a challenge. Processed and unhealthy foods tend to be more affordable and have a longer shelf life than fresh produce, whole grains, and lean proteins. This can make it difficult for individuals and families to maintain a nutritious diet. Troop 2315’s initiative highlights the importance of finding creative ways to make healthy meals accessible, even when resources are limited. How BCHG Ensures Access to Nutritious Food At Bucks County Housing Group, we’re committed to providing not just food, but nutritious food to our community. Thanks to our local partners like Giant, Weis, BJ’s, and Philabundance, BCHG’s food pantries stock fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible. Additionally, our three community gardens—located at our Penndel, Doylestown, and Robert Morris sites—help supply fresh produce to families in need. By offering a variety of healthy options, we strive to give our neighbors the tools they need to prepare nourishing meals for their families. One challenge for families (especially those facing food insecurity) is that fresh produce and other nutritious ingredients often have a shorter shelf life than processed foods, making it difficult to incorporate them into meals before they spoil. The Girl Scouts’ recipe collection helps bridge this gap by providing simple, practical ways to use pantry staples alongside fresh ingredients. By demonstrating how to turn these items into complete, delicious meals, they’ve made it easier for families to get the most out of the fresh food they receive, reducing waste and promoting better nutrition. The Recipes: Pantry Staples Turned Delicious Meals Thanks to the hard work of Troop 2315, we now have a fantastic collection of simple, healthy recipes that can be made using ingredients commonly found at our food pantries. Below, you’ll find their recipes, which are designed to be affordable, nutritious, and easy to make at home. A Rainy Day with a Lasting Impact Despite the rain, the Girl Scouts showed up with enthusiasm, ready to share their recipes and samples with our pantry guests. Their dedication to making a difference is a reminder that small acts of service—like sharing a meal or a recipe—can have a meaningful impact. To continue their efforts, we now distribute copies of their recipe collection at our food pantries, ensuring that families have practical, easy-to-follow ideas for using the fresh ingredients they receive. We’re grateful for their support and for helping our community find new ways to turn pantry staples into nourishing, delicious meals. Related