Jerry Greenfield Exits Ben & Jerry’s, Citing Unilever’s Restrictions on Social Advocacy
Jerry Greenfield, one of the co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s, has stepped away from the iconic ice cream brand he started 47 years ago. His departure comes with claims that parent company Unilever is stifling the brand’s message of peace, love, and social justice.
Ben Cohen, Greenfield’s co-founder, shared Greenfield’s thoughts on the social media platform X, noting that Unilever seems to be limiting the brand’s ability to address social issues.
In recent years, Ben & Jerry’s has been vocal about various social justice efforts, which included calls for police reform and support for LGBTQ rights, among other causes.
Greenfield expressed, “For over 20 years, under their ownership, Ben & Jerry’s championed peace and human rights in relation to real-world events. The independence we had was a crucial part of our agreement with Unilever. It’s unfortunate to realize that this independence, which was fundamental to the sale, seems to have disappeared.”
He further indicated that being asked to remain silent on global events while merely focusing on producing ice cream was too much to bear.
Greenfield highlighted this loss of independence came at a time when the government is, he believes, attacking various rights, including civil, voting, and those concerning women and the LGBTQ community. “It’s critical for us to advocate for justice and equity, and yet, I feel Ben & Jerry’s is hesitant to voice any dissent,” he remarked.
He added, “It’s easy to speak out when there’s no risk involved. The true measure of values is when the stakes are high.”
A spokesperson for the Magnum Ice Cream Company, which is part of Unilever, thanked Greenfield for his contributions but disagreed with his viewpoint.
Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s for $326 million in 2000, with the initial hope that the partnership would bolster their social missions.
Over the years, Ben & Jerry’s has incorporated various socially-themed flavors into their lineup, highlighting progressive issues.
In May, Ben Cohen made headlines for commenting that Congress would fund bombings in Gaza, which stirred significant controversy.
The two childhood friends, Cohen and Greenfield, launched Ben & Jerry’s in 1978, marking a notable chapter in the world of ice cream.
