Ben & Jerry’s loses its Jerry

Jerry Greenfield, the co-founder of iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, has announced his resignation after 47 years with the company, calling it one of the hardest decisions of his life.

In a heartfelt letter to employees and fans, Mr Greenfield explained that his decision was not due to a loss of passion for the people or the mission of Ben & Jerry’s, but because he believes the company has lost its independence to stand up for its values.

“This isn’t because I’ve lost my love for the people at Ben & Jerry’s,” he wrote.

“The folks who show up every day in our factories, scoop shops, and offices are some of the most passionate, caring, and values-driven people you’ll ever meet. They are the soul of Ben & Jerry’s.”

Mr Greenfield pointed to the company’s 2000 acquisition by Unilever as a turning point.

At the time, a unique merger agreement protected Ben & Jerry’s social mission and independence. However, Mr Greenfield says that protection is now gone, leaving the company unable to speak out on issues such as peace, justice, equity and human rights, principles at the heart of the brand since its founding in 1978.

“It’s profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone,” Greenfield stated.

He also criticised the current political climate in the United States, citing attacks on civil rights, voting rights, immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community. According to Greenfield, Ben & Jerry’s has been “silenced” out of fear of upsetting those in power.

“The real test of values is when times are challenging and you have something to lose,” he added.

Mr Greenfield emphasised that Ben & Jerry’s was always “about more than just ice cream,” serving instead as a vehicle to spread love and promote justice and equity. He said that if those values can no longer be upheld within the company, he will continue to pursue them outside of it.

“With all the love and conviction I can,” he concluded, “I will carry them forward outside.”

Ben Cohen, the company’s co-founder, shared Jerry’s statement on X, saying that “his legacy deserves to be true to our values, not silences by Magnum Global.”

Backstory

Magnum Ice Cream, which is separating from Unilever, said it has tried to cooperate with the brand’s original founders.

A Magnum spokesperson responded to the claims, saying the company disagrees with Jerry Greenfield’s perspective and that they have sought to engage both co-founders in constructive conversation.

“We remain committed to Ben & Jerry’s unique three-part mission – product, economic and social – and remain focused on carrying forward the legacy of peace, love, and ice cream of this iconic, much-loved brand,” he said.

“Ben & Jerry’s is a proud and thriving part of The Magnum Ice Cream Company and we look forward to further building on its success,” he concluded.

Over the years, it had been widely reported that the relationship between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever was steadily deteriorating.