Residents of Brentwood, Discovery Bay and Oakley are encouraged to support Girl Scouts as they raise funds for local service projects and activities through their Fall Nut and Magazine Sale. The effort runs through Nov. 20.

In addition to providing money for girls to pay for innovative programs, uniforms, camp, and community-service projects, the Girl Scout fall sale helps girls learn five key skills: goal setting, decision making, money management, business ethics and people skills.

New this year is Zen Crunch Mix: a harmony of rice crackers, wasabi peas, sesame sticks, peanuts, cashews and almonds. Half of the Girl Scouts’ 10 varieties for 2011 are gluten-free: chocolate covered raisins, chocolate toffee almonds, cranberry nut mix, honey roasted peanuts, and cashews.

The Girl Scouts are also selling digital magazines. Your favorite magazines are available in eco-friendly digital online editions. Care to Give: In addition to purchasing a snack item for donation to military troops overseas or a local food bank, you can now purchase and donate $5 magazine vouchers. Your purchase and donation does double duty, benefiting Girl Scouts, the military and local nonprofits.

Girl Scouts are also going green. Many of this year’s products feature special packaging designed for less waste.

To find a troop near you and arrange purchases, call 800-447-4475, ext. 5095. And to learn more about varieties, prices and nutritional information, visit www.girlscoutsnorcal.org/gonuts.