Jerry Greenfield, the co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, has announced his resignation from the company he co-created in the late 1970s. This decision comes in light of a persistent dispute with the multinational corporation Unilever, which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000. Known for its whimsical packaging and innovative flavors, the Vermont-based ice cream maker has a longstanding reputation for advocating progressive politics and actively engaging in social issues.
In a heartfelt resignation letter shared online on Tuesday, Greenfield expressed his concerns that Ben & Jerry's has been effectively silenced. He criticized Unilever for sidelining the company out of fear of upsetting powerful stakeholders. Greenfield's letter highlighted the troubling political climate in the United States, where the current administration is perceived to be attacking civil rights, voting rights, and the rights of marginalized communities, including immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community. “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,” he stated.
The tension between Greenfield and his co-founder, Ben Cohen, and Unilever has been escalating for years. They have repeatedly clashed over Ben & Jerry's independence and its ability to take a stand on critical political and social issues, ranging from the war in Gaza to climate change. The merger agreement between Unilever and Ben & Jerry's created an independent board tasked with upholding the company's social mission, yet the boundaries of this independence have become increasingly blurred.
In March, Ben & Jerry's took legal action against Unilever, accusing the corporation of firing the company's CEO in retaliation for its activism on social media. In response to Greenfield's resignation, the Magnum Ice Cream Co., a subsidiary of Unilever that encompasses the Ben & Jerry's brand, issued a statement expressing gratitude for Greenfield's foundational role and service. However, they also disagreed with his perspective, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining Ben & Jerry's powerful values-based mission.
Magnum is scheduled to separate from Unilever in mid-November, a move being referred to as a demerger. Ann Lipton, a professor at the University of Colorado Law School, explained that the ongoing conflict arises from the unique merger agreement that grants the Ben & Jerry's board control over its political and social messaging while Unilever retains operational oversight. “It's very unclear where that line is,” Lipton noted, highlighting the struggle between the two entities over their respective responsibilities.
As part of their ongoing efforts, Greenfield and Cohen have been advocating for the Free Ben & Jerry's campaign, urging Unilever or Magnum to divest from the company. Cohen articulated concerns that Unilever and Magnum are undermining the independence of the board and eroding the social mission that has endeared the brand to its customers. “This is a marriage that has fallen apart,” Cohen stated, emphasizing the need for Ben & Jerry's to find a new owner aligned with its socially responsible values. “Let us be free and let us find a socially-aligned owner, so that Magnum can be Magnum and Ben & Jerry's can be Ben & Jerry's.”
