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Host Site: The National Center for Appropriate Technology

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a national nonprofit that champions small-scale, local and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities and protect natural resources. NCAT’s Midwest office, located in Des Moines, currently serves as the Regional Lead Agency for the National Farm to School Network and coordinates a sister EnergyCorps program, which places AmeriCorps Service Members in projects focusing on energy conservation.

Service Sites:

National Center for Appropriate Technology: Midwest Regional Office (Des Moines, IA): Two FoodCorps Service Members work with schools in greater Des Moines to help coordinate Farm to School efforts.

Department of Environmental Studies at Luther College (Decorah, IA): Two FoodCorps Service Members operate as Farm to School coordinators in rural school districts in NE Iowa. Luther College is a small liberal arts college in Decorah that models campus sustainability through initiatives such as school gardens and dining service sourcing from local farmers. Luther is also part of Iowa Food and Fitness, a regional coalition working to increase access to healthy food for everyone.

At each site, Service Members work with food service employees, farmers, teachers, and children to:

  • Facilitate trainings on safe handling of locally grown fresh produce
  • Organize farm tours
  • Streamline the local food procurement process
  • Coordinate teams to plan, create, maintain or expand school gardens
  • Integrate nutrition, food and agriculture education into curricula through cross-age teaching

 

That's Mauricio up top (he's trained as a chef) and here above is a shot of a "recreation night" in Decorah, with dodgeball tournaments, healthy snacks and more.

Our present FoodCorps service members from Iowa have been featured in the national media several times since their terms began last August.

Daniel Schultz was featured on CBS Nightly News, and on the Ecocentric blog, and service member Leah Chapman was featured on the blog The Jew and the Carrot.

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