Jerry Greenfield’s last scoop: Ben & Jerry’s co-founder quits

The co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand, Jerry Greenfield, is calling it quits on the company he launched in 1978 with partner Ben Cohen.

A post on X and Instagram by Cohen confirmed his departure with this statement. 

“I’m sharing (Greenfield’s) words as he resigns from Ben & Jerry’s. His legacy deserves to be true to our values, not silenced by @MagnumGlobal#FreeBenAndJerrys

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Ben Cohen (@yobencohen)

Following Cohen’s statement, with a link to a website that explains the Free Ben & Jerry’s movement, he posted Greenfield’s letter of resignation.

The letter states that “It’s with a broken heart that  I’ve decided I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry’s. I am resigning from the company Ben and I started back in 1978. This is one of the most painful decisions I’ve ever made.”

Greenfield explained his affection for the people involved in making the ice cream, from factory workers to office staff. However, he lamented that after 25 years, Unilever's ownership no longer guaranteed their independence or their ability to advocate for "peace, justice, and human rights," a freedom they once enjoyed.

The ice cream brand has consistently championed peace and justice since its inception. Its website prominently displays these advocacy efforts, with its core progressive, nonpartisan social mission outlined as: "We have a progressive, nonpartisan social mission that seeks to meet human needs and eliminate injustices in our local, national, and international communities by integrating these concerns in our day-to-day business activities."

With flavors like Americone Dream, promoted by Stephen Colbert, and the peace-loving Cherry Garcia,” Ben & Jerry’s brand messaging has promoted more than just good ice cream.

“It was always about more than ice cream,” stated Greenfield in the letter. “It was a way to spread love and invite others into the fight for equity, justice and a better world.”

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is being spun out by Unilever as a separate ice cream unit, which is supposed to be completed later this year. 

A spokesperson for Magnum said the company would be forever grateful to Greenfield, but added: "We disagree with his perspective and have sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry's powerful values-based position in the world," the spokesperson said, adding that the company was committed to carrying on Ben & Jerry's mission of product, economic and social and its "legacy of peace, love, and ice cream.”

Cohen has not quit the company, but it appears he supports Greenfield and his point of view.