Unilever now owns Ben & Jerry's, causing co-founder to resign, citing lost independence.
Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry's Resigns Over Selling Ice Cream in West Bank Settlements
Jerry Greenfield, one of the co-founders of Ben & Jerry's, has resigned from the iconic ice cream brand. The resignation comes after the company failed to block Unilever from selling ice cream in West Bank settlements in 2022.
In a statement published late Tuesday, Greenfield expressed his concern over the silencing and sidelining of Ben & Jerry's due to fear of upsetting those in power. He lamented the loss of independence that was the basis of the company's sale to Unilever.
Greenfield, a longtime critic of Israeli policy, last year joined prominent Jewish figures in an open letter opposing the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC. In May, he was removed from a U.S. Senate hearing for shouting 'Congress pays for bombs to kill children in Gaza' and startling Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.
Ben Cohen, the other co-founder, echoed Greenfield's sentiments, stating that Greenfield's legacy should be true to Ben & Jerry's values, not silenced by the Magnum Ice Cream Company, the new owner of the brand.
The Magnum Ice Cream Company, a Unilever subsidiary until recently, is now an independent global player. Unilever is in the process of spinning off Magnum, which is expected to begin standalone operations by mid-November.
The Magnum spokesperson sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry's values-based position. They emphasized the company's focus on carrying forward the legacy of peace, love, and ice cream of the iconic Ben & Jerry's brand.
The Magnum spokesperson also reiterated the company's commitment to Ben & Jerry's unique three-part mission - product, economic, and social. They stated that the company remains committed to the Ben & Jerry's mission and legacy, despite the recent controversy.
It's important to note that Unilever is not mentioned as being involved in the sale of Ben & Jerry's ice cream in West Bank settlements. The Magnum Ice Cream Company is not mentioned as being involved in the controversy surrounding Ben & Jerry's sale to Unilever or the subsequent resignation of Jerry Greenfield.
Greenfield's concern is particularly relevant as the current U.S. administration is attacking civil rights, voting rights, the rights of immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community. He has not provided any new information about his concerns regarding these issues.
Ben Cohen, in his post, did not elaborate on the future of the brand. However, he made it clear that he stands by the values that Greenfield and he established when they founded Ben & Jerry's in 1978.
The brand's commitment to social justice and activism has been a hallmark of its 44-year history. It remains to be seen how the resignation of Greenfield will impact the brand's future.
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