Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Jerry Greenfield Resigns Amid Unilever Dispute

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has stepped down from the ice cream company, asserting that he has been “silenced” by its parent company, Unilever. Greenfield’s departure marks a significant moment for the brand, which has been synonymous with activism and progressive values since its establishment in the United States in 1978.

Founded with a commitment to environmental protection and human rights, Ben & Jerry’s became a prominent voice in social issues over the years. In 2000, Unilever acquired the company for $326 million. Since then, tensions have escalated, particularly after Ben & Jerry’s announced in 2021 that it would cease sales in the occupied Palestinian territories. This decision triggered a backlash, including criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who took to social media to express his disapproval.

Following the announcement, Greenfield and his co-founder, Ben Cohen, faced increasing pressure from Unilever. In 2022, Ben & Jerry’s attempted to sue Unilever to block the sale of its products in the West Bank, but a U.S. court ruled against them. The situation intensified last year when Unilever declared plans to spin off its ice cream division, including Ben & Jerry’s, as a standalone entity named The Magnum Ice Cream Company, set to launch by mid-November.

In a statement shared on social media by Cohen, Greenfield expressed his disappointment, stating that the independence to uphold their values was supposedly guaranteed at the time of Unilever’s purchase. He noted, “For more than twenty years under their ownership, Ben & Jerry’s stood up and spoke out in support of peace, justice, and human rights.” He emphasized that this independence was enshrined in the merger agreement, which aimed to protect the company’s social mission indefinitely.

Greenfield’s resignation comes as he reflects on the current political climate in the United States, where he feels that civil rights and social justice are under threat. “It’s profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone,” he remarked. He described his decision as one made with a “broken heart,” explaining that he could no longer remain in good conscience at Ben & Jerry’s.

In his statement, Greenfield articulated the importance of standing for values during challenging times. “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 said. He added that true commitment to values is tested when individuals have something to lose.

The co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s have long been known for their activism. Earlier this year, Cohen was removed from a session of the U.S. Senate after protesting against U.S. military support for Israel during a discussion led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. Cohen expressed outrage at the U.S. government’s actions, which he claimed were detrimental to vulnerable populations both abroad and at home.

Greenfield’s resignation has raised questions about the future direction of Ben & Jerry’s and its commitment to social activism. As the brand transitions to a new corporate structure, many will be watching closely to see whether it can maintain the values that have defined it for nearly five decades.