Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has announced his resignation from the iconic ice cream brand after nearly five decades. This decision comes amidst a growing divide between Greenfield and the brand’s owner, Unilever.
In a heartfelt letter posted on co-founder Ben Cohen’s social media account, Greenfield expressed his disappointment with Unilever for failing to uphold their promise of allowing Ben & Jerry’s to maintain its independence in speaking out on progressive social issues. Instead, Greenfield claims that Unilever has chosen to silence and sideline the brand for fear of upsetting those in power.
Greenfield stated, “It’s with a broken heart that I’ve decided I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry’s. This is one of the hardest and most painful decisions I have ever made.”
The rift between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever has been escalating over the past few years. Greenfield highlighted that for the first two decades following Unilever’s acquisition of the brand in 2000, Ben & Jerry’s was allowed to advocate for social causes that were important to them. However, in recent years, the brand has felt a gradual erosion of its freedom to speak out.
This tension came to a head when Unilever reportedly demanded that Ben & Jerry’s cease publicly criticizing President Donald Trump and attempted to prevent the brand from making statements advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. Additionally, there was a disagreement earlier this year over the firing of Ben & Jerry’s CEO due to his support for the brand’s social mission.
Greenfield emphasized, “It was always about more than just ice cream; it was a way to spread love and invite others into the fight for equity, justice, and a better world. Coming to the conclusion that this is no longer possible at Ben & Jerry’s means I can no longer remain part of Ben & Jerry’s.”
Last week, Greenfield and Cohen requested that Unilever allow Ben & Jerry’s to operate independently and exclude the brand from its plan to spin off its ice cream unit into a new business called The Magnum Ice Cream Company. However, Magnum stated that Ben & Jerry’s will remain within the portfolio alongside brands like Klondike, Breyers, and Talenti.
In response to Greenfield’s resignation, Magnum expressed gratitude for his service and support over the years. The company stated, “We disagree with his perspective and have sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry’s powerful values-based position in the world. We remain committed to Ben & Jerry’s unique three-part mission – product, economic, and social.”
As Greenfield exits the brand he helped build, the future of Ben & Jerry’s and its commitment to social activism remains uncertain. However, his departure marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle between corporate ownership and maintaining the brand’s core values.
