How Big Business Had the Right Idea But Went Wrong: Andrew Gunther at TEDxManhattan

Andrew Gunther is Program Director of Animal Welfare Approved. Since 2008, Andrew has spearheaded the program's unprecedented growth. AWA farms are now recognized as being at the vanguard of high welfare, environmentally positive, and socially responsible agriculture. Combining an expert understanding of the supply chain beyond the farm gate with hands-on experience and knowledge of farm production—and its consequences—Andrew brings a unique perspective to the arena.

He has been the driving force behind some seminal works on the impacts of pasture-based production on the environment, and linking animal-social justice and the environment in a way that is beneficial to each component. An outspoken critic of industrial farming systems, Andrew routinely exposes the negative impact of industrial agriculture on farm animals, the environment, and society as a regular contributor to Huffington Post. He also works closely with restaurants groups and retailers to increase the availability of Animal Welfare Approved meat, dairy and eggs in traditional retail settings.

Previously, Andrew was the senior global animal compassionate product procurement and development specialist for Whole Foods Market, leading the team that designed and launched the company's five-step welfare program in the United Kingdom. From a truly agricultural background, Andrew, with his wife and children, pioneered the world's first organic poultry hatchery for chickens. The Gunther family also managed the production and procurement for the largest independent organic chicken producer in the United Kingdom.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)