Why Did Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield Split with Ben & Jerry’s?

Jerry Greenfield has quit Ben & Jerry’s. He co-founded the ice cream brand in 1978 with Ben Cohen. The decision came after a dispute with Unilever, the British company that owns the brand. Greenfield said the company had lost the freedom to speak out on social and political issues.

He described the move as one of the hardest decisions of his life. Cohen backed Greenfield’s statement and shared his words publicly. The news has sparked debate about the future of the socially conscious ice cream company.

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield: A 47-Year Journey

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield started Ben & Jerry’s in Vermont in 1978. They grew it into one of the world’s most famous ice cream brands. The company became known not just for its flavors but also for its activism.

In 2000, they sold the company to Unilever. At the time, both said they were promised independence to pursue their values. For decades, they stayed linked to the brand as ambassadors. They often helped launch new flavors and joined in public events.

According to Reuters, tensions rose in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s stopped selling products in occupied Palestinian territories. The brand said the sales were not consistent with its values. This sparked backlash and a long-running conflict with Unilever.

Conflict with Unilever and the Final Break

Greenfield accused Unilever of silencing the brand. He said statements on abortion, climate change, healthcare, and Palestine were blocked. He also said the ousting of a former Ben & Jerry’s CEO was against the merger agreement.

Unilever denied these claims. It said Ben & Jerry’s remains a proud part of its ice cream division. It also said it tried to engage the co-founders in positive talks.

Greenfield and Cohen called for Ben & Jerry’s to be spun off as an independent company. Unilever rejected the idea. Greenfield then announced he could no longer stay connected as an employee.

The Future of Ben & Jerry’s Values

The brand has always stood for justice and equality. Greenfield said those values are now under threat. He linked the issue to broader social struggles, including civil rights and LGBTQ rights.

Unilever thanked him for his work and wished him well. But many now wonder how Ben & Jerry’s will keep its activist identity without its founders. The split marks a turning point in the history of the ice cream maker.

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield built more than an ice cream brand. They built a voice for change. Now, with Greenfield gone, the future of that voice is unclear.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who are Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield?

They are the co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s. They started the brand in Vermont in 1978 and made it famous worldwide.

Q2: Why did Jerry Greenfield quit Ben & Jerry’s?

He said Unilever blocked the brand from speaking on social issues. He felt the company lost its independence.

Q3: What role did Unilever play in the dispute?

Unilever owns Ben & Jerry’s since 2000. It denied the claims and said it tried to work with the founders.

Q4: What issues caused conflict between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever?

Major disputes included Palestine, abortion, climate change, and political criticism. These sparked years of tension.

Q5: Will Ben Cohen also leave Ben & Jerry’s?

Ben Cohen has not quit yet. He supported Greenfield’s statement but has not announced his own decision.