It's Cookie Time!

It's cookie time in Highlands County, courtesy of the area Girl Scouts.

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is taking orders for Girl Scout cookies from now through Jan. 26. The shipments will then be delivered to local warehouses for distribution on Saturday, Feb. 7, according to a press release.

Then, the girls of the area chapters will participate in a direct sales period through March 8.

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida serves nearly 11,000 girls in Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Sarasota, DeSoto, Charlotte, Lee, Glades, Collier and Hendry counties.

Peggy Becerra, representative for the Highlands County chapter, said local booth sales will begin Feb. 13.

She added that girls will set up sales booths in front of the Publix grocery stores. They have also asked local Walgreens and BP locations for permission to sell cookies in front of those businesses.

The eight varieties of cookies available for residents to purchase are Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Trefoils, Lemon Chalet Cremes, sugar-free Chocolate Chips and a new edition this year, Dulce de Leche, which is a "sweet, indulgent cookie rich with milk caramel chips and stripes," the release stated.

Each package of cookies costs $3.50. All flavors also have zero trans fat per serving.

Becerra said they will try and canvass all local neighborhoods, but it often depends on if a Girl Scout lives in a particular neighborhood.

There will also be a Girl Scout cookie eating contest Jan. 30 at the Highlands County Fair. The winner is the person who can eat the most cookies in under a minute. Last year's winner devoured 18 of the delicious treats in the allotted time.

Anyone wanting more information about the sales or to place an order can contact Becerra at 863-446-0571.