Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has announced his resignation from the ice cream brand after nearly 50 years of involvement. The decision, described as one of the “hardest and most painful” he has faced, was shared through a post from fellow co-founder Ben Cohen. In his letter, Greenfield expressed concern that the company had been “silenced” by its parent company, Unilever, and lamented the loss of its ability to advocate for global issues.
Greenfield emphasized that if Ben & Jerry’s could not stand up for the values it espoused, then it was “not worth being a company at all.” He highlighted that the brand’s independence was significantly secured by a unique merger agreement he and Cohen negotiated with Unilever, which was intended to protect the company’s social mission.
Conflict with Unilever
This resignation follows a period of tension between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever that has persisted since at least 2021. The ice cream maker faced backlash after announcing it would cease sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, leading to a legal dispute with Unilever. In recent developments, Cohen revealed that the brand sought to arrange a sale to investors at a fair market value ranging from $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion, but this proposal was rejected.
Cohen and Greenfield’s concerns center around their belief that Unilever’s influence has compromised the brand’s core values. Greenfield’s letter reflects a deep commitment to the mission that initially defined Ben & Jerry’s, as he noted that the social activism integral to the company was increasingly threatened under Unilever’s ownership.
Future of Ben & Jerry’s
Despite the challenges, Greenfield’s departure does not appear to mark the end of Ben & Jerry’s commitment to social issues. The company remains a vocal advocate on several fronts, but its ability to operate independently is now in question. As of now, both Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s have not provided comments regarding Greenfield’s resignation or the ongoing disputes.
The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear how this change will affect the company’s future direction. The ice cream brand, known for its progressive stance on various social issues, may face significant challenges in maintaining its identity and mission moving forward.