Reframing Food: Ashley Stanley at TEDxRVA

Ashley Stanley is a native Bostonian committed to cultivating a food-conscious community. She founded Lovin' Spoonfuls in 2010 as a vehicle for food redistribution, and she has successfully provided more than 900,000 pounds of fresh food to those in need. The non-profit organization recovers healthy food that would otherwise be disposed of and ensures its delivery to families and individuals struggling with food access and availability. In 2012, Lovin' Spoonfuls was a two-time winner of MassChallenge, which is the world's largest startup accelerator and competition.

Ashley has created an unparalleled awareness for food rescue and she is dedicated to addressing the significant consequences of food waste. The Boston Business Journal named her an "Emerging Leader" in 2011, and in 2013 the publication added her to its list of "40 under 40," recognizing her as an innovative business leader in the community. Mayor Thomas Menino personally selected Ashley to serve on a food policy taskforce. Additionally, Oxfam International has honored her commitment to social justice through hunger relief and has appointed her as Oxfam International's Sisters of the Planet.

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)