Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Resigns Over Dispute with Parent Company Unilever: Free Ben & Jerry’s Campaign Intensifies

Ice cream pioneer Jerry Greenfield, one of the founders of the iconic brand Ben & Jerry’s, has stepped down from the company he helped establish in the late 1970s due to a persistent disagreement with parent company Unilever.

Known for its distinctive packaging and innovative flavors, as well as its vocal stance on social issues, the Vermont-based ice cream maker has long been associated with progressive politics. However, in a public resignation letter published online this week, Greenfield asserted that Ben & Jerry’s has been muzzled by Unilever, a multinational corporation that acquired the brand in 2000.

Greenfield stated that the current political climate in the United States, which sees civil rights, voting rights, and the rights of various communities under attack by the administration, has exacerbated the situation. He emphasized that Ben & Jerry’s was more than just an ice cream company; it represented a platform to spread love and advocate for equity, justice, and a better world.

Since its inception, Greenfield and his co-founder, Ben Cohen, have faced ongoing tension with Unilever regarding the independence of the ice cream company and its ability to voice political and social opinions publicly. The 2000 merger agreement created an independent board tasked with preserving the company’s social mission.

In March, Ben & Jerry’s sued Unilever, alleging that the parent company had fired the CEO in retaliation for the company’s activism on social media platforms.

In response to Greenfield’s resignation, a statement issued by Magnum Ice Cream Co., a standalone entity within Unilever that includes the Ben & Jerry’s brand, expressed gratitude for Greenfield’s contributions and service over the years. However, they disagreed with his perspective and sought constructive dialogue to strengthen Ben & Jerry’s values-driven position in the world.

The statement also reaffirmed Magnum’s commitment to Ben & Jerry’s unique three-part mission – product, economic, and social – and pledged to uphold the brand’s legacy of peace, love, and ice cream.

Magnum is scheduled to split off from Unilever in mid-November, in what both parties refer to as a “demerger.”

The dispute between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever originates from their unique merger agreement, which granted the Ben & Jerry’s board control over political and social messaging while allowing Unilever operational oversight. This arrangement has led to confusion regarding the division of responsibilities.

Greenfield and Cohen have been advocating for the “Free Ben & Jerry’s” campaign, urging Unilever or Magnum to sell the company due to what they perceive as a diminished social mission and encroachment on the independence of the board. However, these efforts have yet to bear fruit.

According to Cohen, the relationship between the companies has deteriorated significantly, with both parties seemingly at an impasse. He expressed a desire for Ben & Jerry’s to regain its independence and find a socially-aligned owner, allowing both Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s to thrive independently.