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City of Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman |
Office of the Mayor City Hall / 90 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43215-9014 614/645-7671 FAX 614/645-8955 TDD 614/645-6200 |
June 3, 2009
Dr. Gene Harris, Superintendant
Columbus City Schools
270 East State St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Dear Dr. Harris:
As we continue our work to reduce the epidemic rates of obesity in our children and to teach them to make healthier food choices, the challenge is in replacing the items currently offered on our school menus with healthier alternatives that taste good. I would like to personally recommend one such product.
The Cookie Cop LLC, founded by retired Columbus Police Sgt. Craig Lee and his wife Lisa Tyus-Lee has a selection of healthy cookies that meet and exceed all of of the Federal Nutritional guidelines for food offerings in schools and have a delicious, gourmet taste as well. These cookies have no butter or eggs, are a good source of protein and fiber, are low in sodium and sugar, and have 10-15 grams of whole grains. All 4 flavors are made with oat flour. I have eaten them many times and the have become, in fact, my favorite cookies! Apparently I am in good company. Archie Griffin, also loves them and is working with the Lees to enlist the food service providers across The Ohio State University organization to add them to their menus as well.
Craig and Lisa tell me that their cookies have the endorsement of a nationally recognized practitioner whose Serrano Family Practice office is located in Pickerington. Dr. Eric Serrano, whose expertise is in sports nutrition, tested the cookies for their affect on his own sugar levels one hour after ingestion. He found that in that hour his sugar level remained the same and asserts that the cookies can, therefore, be considered a sugar stable food. This means that the level of sugar in the bloodstream remains at or varies slightly from the original reading up to an hour after ingesting. This is good news for people like me who are diabetic and for so many of our children who are also diabetic or borderline.
The Cookie Cop cookies have already made their debut into Bexley City Schools this year to continued rave reviews. Other school districts are expected to follow suit for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year and I would like Columbus City Schools' students to have this same good choice available to them as well.
Please meet with the Lees to discuss adding their wonderful product to our food service offerings. It is on easy, healthy change we can make for our children NOW that will have lasting benefits beyond their school years. For more information, visit their website at www.thecookiecop.com
Thank you,
Michael B. Coleman
Mayor
MBC/ltl/mbp
c: Dorian L. Wingard, Liason for Board Services in Gov. Affairs
Joe Brown, Director of Food Service/ Columbus City Schools