Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield announced his departure from the ice cream company after 47 years, alleging that parent corporation Unilever has systematically silenced the brand’s progressive social activism.
Greenfield’s exit letter, posted on social media by co-founder Ben Cohen, accused Unilever of violating the independence provisions negotiated during the 2000 acquisition that was designed to preserve Ben & Jerry’s social mission in perpetuity.
“For more than 20 years under their ownership, Ben & Jerry’s stood up and spoke out in support of peace, justice and human rights, not as abstract concepts, but in relation to real events happening in our world,” Greenfield wrote. “That independence existed in no small part because of the unique merger agreement Ben and I negotiated with Unilever.”
The departure occurs amid escalating tensions between the Vermont-based ice cream maker and its London-based parent company over political statements and corporate governance issues.
Greenfield specifically criticized the timing of corporate restrictions, stating they come “at a time when our country’s current administration is attacking civil rights, voting rights, the rights of immigrants, women and the LGBTQ community.”
“Standing up for the values of justice, equity, and our shared humanity has never been more important, and yet Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power,” he declared.
The conflict intensified in March when Ben & Jerry’s alleged that Unilever unlawfully removed CEO David Stever in retaliation for the company’s social and political activism. Federal court filings claimed this violated merger agreement provisions requiring board consultation before executive changes.
Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s for $326 million in 2000, with both parties initially viewing the partnership as expanding the ice cream company’s progressive social mission. However, recent years have featured increasing corporate tensions over political statements.
The relationship deteriorated significantly after Ben & Jerry’s 2021 decision to stop serving Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and contested East Jerusalem. Unilever subsequently sold its Israeli business to a local company that continues selling Ben & Jerry’s throughout Israel and the West Bank.
In November, Ben & Jerry’s sued Unilever in federal court, accusing the parent company of preventing statements supporting Palestinians during the Gaza conflict and blocking social media posts addressing issues expected to face challenges during Donald Trump’s second presidential term.
Unilever announced plans in May 2024 to spin off its ice cream business, including Ben & Jerry’s, by the end of 2025 as part of broader corporate restructuring efforts. The conglomerate also owns personal care brands like Dove and food products including Hellmann’s mayonnaise.
Greenfield emphasized that Ben & Jerry’s “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,” referencing the brand’s distinctive flavors like Cherry Garcia and Phish Food.
The departure represents a significant symbolic break between the company’s founding values and current corporate oversight, potentially affecting Ben & Jerry’s future social activism direction.
