When it comes to distinguishing Girl Scout Cookies, you have to think outside of the box.
Although one version of the peanut butter-filled cookie comes in a red box labeled "Tagalongs" and is made by Little Brownie Bakers, local cookie consumers may find a red box labeled "Peanut Butter Patties" distributed by ABC Bakers instead.
Most of the well-known cookie types have two different names.
There are different theories as to why, but the truth lies in manufacturing.
The Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama council made the switch from Little Brownie Bakers to ABC Bakers for its 2011 sale.
The partnership means that local Girl Scouts sold Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwiches and Shortbreads instead of the more commonly known Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-si-dos and Trefoils, among other types unique to ABC Bakers.
"Our council in general chose (ABC) because of the customer service ABC provides for the girls and volunteers," said Rhonda Fields, field executive for Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama.
Fields said they had used ABC Bakers several years ago.
Therefore, people in this part of central Alabama have actually had cookies from both bakers.
ABC Bakers is the oldest manufacturer. Based in Richmond, Va., it's been operating since 1939.
"We are deeply pleased and honored to be associated with Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama," said Mary Alice Callaway, ABC Bakers vice president of sales, in a press release. "We look forward to helping the council run an effective sale, using our 70 years of knowledge and experience with Girl Scout Cookies."
The practice of two different cookie manufacturers came about gradually.
"In the '60s and '70s, they were using many more, and it just ended up winding down to two," said Michelle Tompkins, spokeswoman for Girl Scouts USA. '"It's just better business practice to have fewer."
She also said the councils not only choose which baker they use, but set the price per box as well.
Some may wonder if the different cookies taste the same.
"The bakers have proprietary recipes for all of them, so they don't taste exactly the same, but they're pretty close," Tompkins said.
Fields said she believes they do not taste differently.
"Most people that try them can't really tell the difference," Fields said.
Tompkins said she is sure the two manufacturers will never merge.
"They're owned by two totally different corporations," Tompkins said. "It's possible that we may utilize another baker one day, but it's highly unlikely."
But don't expect a Trefoil when you order a box of Shortbread cookies.
"They would have to change names--that's a lot of work," said Faith Leverette, local Junior Girl Scout. "You have to think for hours and hours."
Leverette, along with her fellow members of Girl Scout Troop 7047, held their last cookie booth of the year's sale March 5 at Kroger on Dean Road.
"But bad news: Girl Scout Cookie season is over," Leverette said.
While local troops' cookie sales are officially finished as of March 13, Fields said they may still have cookies left over.
If anyone is interested in purchasing cookies or volunteering with Girl Scouts, contact the council at girlscoutssa.org.
Tompkins said the national Girl Scouts office gets many questions on why the cookies are called two different things.
"A lot of people actually believe that we have Girl Scouts in the basement making our Thin Mints," Tompkins said. "So we just try to let people know that we do in fact use two bakers."
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