Although Girl Scout cookies may be the nemesis of many New Year's resolutions, the yummy treats are more than just delicious little pieces of heaven.

Girl Scout cookie sales help young girls gain valuable skills by interacting directly with customers.

“As the largest girl-run business in the world, the Girl Scout Cookie Program is the preeminent entrepreneurial experience that builds financial literacy and leadership capacity,” said Girl Scouts Heart of Central California Public Relation Specialist Melanie Glover. “80 percent of female business owners were involved in Girl Scouts as girls – many cite their experiences with the cookie program as laying the groundwork for their success.”

By running her own cookie business, each Girl Scout learns about goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics.

Angel Toste, Assistant Service Unite Cookie Manager and Troop Leader of Troop 15 of Turlock, said that Girl Scout cookie sales have allowed her girls to experience and visit parts of California that they may not otherwise see.

“We are a very active troop,” said Toste. “The girls have learned a lot about themselves and what they are capable of – They are able to tell their teachers, ‘I learned that in Girl Scouts,’ or ‘I went there with my Girl Scout troop.’”

Troop 15 is a Junior Troop, consisting of eleven 4th and 5th graders. Those Girl Scouts participate in myriad community service events throughout the year, from making Valentine's Day cards for a local senior center, to Christmas caroling, park trash cleanups, family food drives, baked pie drives for Thanksgiving meals, and clothing drives.

And the proceeds from cookie sales make many of those community activities possible.

“The majority of the money from our cookie sales goes to support the girls in the Girl Scout program – badges, journeys and program events, including camp,” said Toste.

For the first time since 1999, the iconic Girl Scout cookie package has a new look and a new purpose: to elevate the significance of the Girl Scout Program, a $790 million girl-led business. The new package showcases the five skills that will last them a lifetime, and also highlight the Girl Scout Gold Award – the highest award a Girl Scout can earn for completing a project.

Cookie Flavors include: Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Shortbread, Lemonades, Thanks-a-Lot, and the new Mango Cremes.

Site Sales in Turlock begin today and will end on March 17. Sites in Turlock include Wal-Mart, Save Mart, Lowe’s, Raley’s, Safeway and Village Fresh. Most of the Cookie Booth locations are scheduled to be open Fridays through Sundays and Wednesdays.

Cookies are $4 a package. To place an order from a local Girl Scout, please call 1-866-GSCOOKS (472-6657), or visit the Cookie Booth locations above.