Ben & Jerry’s co-founder, Jerry Greenfield, has resigned from the ice cream company he helped create nearly five decades ago due to a dispute with its parent company, Unilever.
Greenfield, in a letter shared by his co-founder Ben Cohen, expressed feeling “silenced” by Unilever after they restricted his social activism. He stated that he could no longer continue working at Ben & Jerry’s in good conscience after 47 years.
Established in Vermont in 1978, Ben & Jerry’s was founded by Greenfield and Cohen. Greenfield described his decision to leave as one of the most challenging and painful choices he has ever had to make.
Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000, but tension has escalated between the founders and the parent company over the years, particularly concerning political and social stances.
The founders contended that Unilever had promised to maintain Ben & Jerry’s autonomy, including an independent board. Disagreements intensified in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s opted not to sell products in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.
In response, Unilever sold the brand’s operations in that region to an Israeli licensee. Ben & Jerry’s also alleged that Unilever had pressured the brand to cease criticizing former President Donald Trump.
Last week, Cohen and Greenfield demanded that Ben & Jerry’s be released from Unilever’s control and allowed to operate independently. However, Unilever emphasized that Ben & Jerry’s would not be sold and would remain part of the company.
In his resignation letter, Greenfield expressed disappointment that the independence Ben & Jerry’s had when it was sold to Unilever had diminished.
He emphasized that the company was not just about ice cream but also about promoting love and advocating for equity, justice, and a better world. Greenfield concluded that since these values could no longer be upheld at Ben & Jerry’s, he could no longer be associated with the company.
Ben & Jerry’s is set to separate from Unilever and become part of The Magnum Ice Cream Company, which is preparing for a stock market listing.
A spokesperson for The Magnum Ice Cream Company praised Greenfield for his instrumental role in founding Ben & Jerry’s and transforming it into a successful brand with a strong social conscience. The company expressed gratitude for Greenfield’s contributions and disagreed with his perspective, aiming to collaborate with both founders to reinforce Ben & Jerry’s values in the global market.
The Magnum Ice Cream Company reaffirmed its commitment to Ben & Jerry’s mission, focusing on product quality, economic sustainability, and social responsibility. They pledged to continue the legacy of peace, love, and ice cream that the brand is known for and expressed excitement about further enhancing its success.