National Center for Appropriate Technology / FoodCorps

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a national nonprofit with regional offices in six states, including Iowa. Founded in 1976, NCAT’s mission is to help people by championing small-scale, local and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources. We do this through a wide variety of renewable energy and sustainable agriculture projects, most notably ATTRA, the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. NCAT’s Midwest office in Des Moines serves as the regional lead agency for the National Farm to School Network to facilitate information sharing, training, technical assistance, and networking among farm-to-school practitioners throughout the Midwest.  NCAT also serves as the FoodCorps Host Site for Iowa and houses two service members. NCAT supports FoodCorps members by providing training and team-building opportunities among Iowa members, and fostering conditions for strong networks and partnerships among stakeholders in the communities where FooodCorps members serve.

Two FoodCorps members serve in the Des Moines Public School District and teach nutrition education in partnership with the Iowa Department of Public Health.  Members also facilitate local food procurement and help build support for a Des Moines School Garden Network.