NEI Nutrition and Education International
Steven Kwon has a diverse and extensive work experience in the food and nutrition industry. Steven started their career at the Nestle R&D Center in 1989 as a Section Leader, responsible for the development of bio-ingredients and bio-flavors. During their time there, they co-invented nine patents related to the modification of food carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and various foodstuffs. In 1998, they moved to Nestle as the Director of Technical Services and Principal Nutrition Scientist, where they were in charge of innovations and renovations of various nutrition products, including infant formulas, enteral nutrition products, energy beverages, and diabetic snack foods. Steven co-invented two US patents during their tenure. Finally, in 2003, they founded Nutrition and Education International (NEI), with a focus on providing nutritional solutions and public education to improve the health status of the general public in developing or war-torn countries. Steven identified soybeans as a practical and economical source of protein to combat protein-energy malnutrition in Afghanistan, resulting in the reduction of maternal, infant, and child mortality rates.
Steven Kwon completed their education with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Food Biochemistry from The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences in 1982. Prior to that, they obtained a Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences from Korea University in 1979. Additionally, they earned a Master's degree in Food Science from the University of California, Davis in 1979.
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NEI Nutrition and Education International
“Little Seed. Big Hope.” Nutrition & Education International (NEI) is an international nonprofit organization working to eradicate malnutrition in Afghanistan through the development of a self-sustainable soybean industry. Mission: Reduce and prevent malnutrition and related illnesses in Afghanistan by establishing a self-sustainable soybean industry including soybean production, processing, and soy food culture development. Overview: NEI was founded in 2003 as a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)3 organization based in Pasadena, CA. NEI exists to eradicate malnutrition among Afghan women and children through the provision of sustainable, soy-based nutritional solutions. It's a multi-sector approach that includes nutrition intervention, economic capacity building of the local population, promotion of gender equality, and support for education. NEI has worked with over 30,000 farmers to harvest soybeans in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. Partners also include other humanitarian organizations such as the World Food Program as well as government agencies of Afghanistan, United States, Korea, Japan, and Canada. In 2012, NEI worked with over 7,000 farmers and harvested approximately 1,600 metric tons of soybeans. The harvest will be consumed directly by farmers’ families, stored for the upcoming planting season, or processed and distributed through our Supplementary Soy Feeding Program during the winter months when people are the most vulnerable to malnutrition-based illnesses.