“Critical Cookie Shortage!” My e-mail blares at me with this ominous message from the Girl Scout Digital Cookie Platform. Personally, I think the word “critical” should be reserved for things like low blood-donor supply, but I do appreciate the alliteration. In fact, I would like to propose a threefer for added drama: Critical Cookie Crisis.

WhatsApp messages from Troop Leaders and Cookie Liaisons appear in rapid fire, adding to the sense of panic and alarm. My daughter and I knew we would not be able to snag the debut cookie, Adventurefuls, due to a low supply, which was fine for us because the brownie-flavored treat, which is filled with caramel-flavored crème and sea salt, seemed a bit too complicated anyway. Now, though, ordinary cookies like S’mores and Samoas are at stake, affected by labor and ingredient shortages at the bakeries.