Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has departed from the ice cream company after nearly 50 years, amid an ongoing dispute with its parent company, Unilever. In a letter circulated by fellow co-founder Ben Cohen, Greenfield expressed concerns that the brand has lost its independence following Unilever’s decision to curtail its social activism initiatives.
Greenfield’s resignation follows a contentious relationship that began in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s announced it would cease sales of its products in Israeli settlements located in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. A spokesperson for The Magnum Ice Cream Company, which is in the process of spinning off from Unilever, acknowledged Greenfield’s departure but disagreed with his position.
In his letter, Greenfield described his decision as one of the hardest he has made, stating he could no longer work for a company that he felt had been silenced by Unilever. He referenced a prior agreement aimed at protecting the brand’s social mission established during its merger with Unilever 25 years ago. The Magnum Ice Cream Company clarified that they had been in discussions with the co-founders prior to Greenfield’s exit, aiming to strengthen the company’s values-based position.
Ben & Jerry’s is known for advocating social issues since its founding in 1978, supporting various campaigns related to topics like LGBTQ+ rights and climate change. Conflict escalated in March when Unilever removed Ben & Jerry’s CEO, David Stever, an action that the brand claimed violated their merger agreement regarding its social mission. Additionally, the brand previously accused Unilever of trying to suppress its public criticisms of former President Donald Trump.
Unilever expressed disappointment that a private employee discussion had become public. Cohen was recently arrested during a protest regarding military aid to Israel and humanitarian conditions in Gaza, further intensifying scrutiny on the company’s political engagement.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g58xx1eero?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss