Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield is leaving the iconic American ice cream company after nearly 50 years, saying he can no longer “in good conscience,” remain with a brand he believes has been muzzled by its corporate parent, Unilever.
Greenfield’s resignation marks the end of a 47-year run. He cites growing frustration with Unilever’s control over the brand’s voice when it comes to social and political causes.
In a letter shared by co-founder Ben Cohen, Greenfield wrote that Ben & Jerry’s had been silenced on issues like war and human rights.
He pointed to the 2000 Unilever deal, which created an independent board to guard the brand’s social mission while leaving business operations to the parent company. Greenfield and Cohen argue Unilever has undermined those safeguards and shut down the board’s activist voice.
Ben & Jerry’s has a long history of left-wing activism. The company has previously called to “dismantle white supremacy,” pushed to “build a new vision of public safety,” and stopped selling products in what it called “Occupied Palestinian Territory” — referring to Israeli settlements. It has also backed a wide range of progressive causes and Democratic campaigns.
Simon Kent from Breitbart provides additional details:
Greenfield said the loss of independence was coming “at a time when our country’s current administration is attacking civil rights, voting rights, the rights of immigrants, women and the LGBTQ community.”
“Standing up for the values of justice, equity, and our shared humanity has never been more important, and yet Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power,” he said.
“It’s easy to stand up and speak out when there’s nothing at risk. The real test of values is when times are challenging and you have something to lose.”
Unilever, which manages the brand through its Magnum Ice Cream subsidiary, pushed back on the claims. The multinational consumer packaged goods company dismissed Greenfield’s charge and insisted it still backs the brand’s mission.
But his departure is the latest proof of a deeper rift — the clash of activism and big business.
READ NEXT: Grassley Drops FBI Bombshell Targeting Charlie Kirk
BYE!!!
I shouldn’t have to know the political orientation of someone whose ice cream I buy. Now that I’ve been “forced” to know, I don’t buy Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. The only reason why I sometime DO attempt to find out a producer’s political perspective, is to find a company that doesn’t represent anti-American, fake narrative anti-Semitism. Or…to find a product that isn’t made in China. None of this should EVER have become an issue in the marketplace. Ben & Jerry both suck.
“…the rights of immigrants, women…”
Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream probably supports illegal aliens who come to this country and don’t assimilate and commit crimes. Ben and Jerry’s probably support men in women’s sports – I seriously doubt they support women’s rights!
I guess he’d rather make a left-wing fool of himself instead of selling ice cream. If he still wanted to be a left-wing moron he shouldn’t have sold the company.
Let’s drop the “Progressive” label and call them what they are regressive big government leftists. Progress is overwhelmingly accomplished by the private sector.
Nor are liberals liberal. That was stolen from the classical liberals in the early 20th century.
Ban and Jerry’s must be feeling the boycott. I use to buy their stuff but when they went woke, I went elsewhere. Firing the woman leading their woke move was a first step. Watching to see it they have come to their senses!