Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Jerry Greenfield Resigns, Cites Silencing by Unilever
Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of the renowned ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, has announced his resignation after nearly five decades with the company. This decision, described as one of the “hardest and most painful” he has ever faced, has drawn attention to ongoing tensions between the brand and its parent company, Unilever. In a letter shared by fellow co-founder Ben Cohen, Greenfield expressed concerns over the perceived silencing of Ben & Jerry’s social mission under Unilever’s ownership.
Greenfield emphasized that the company’s ability to advocate for global issues has diminished, stating, “If the company couldn’t stand up for the things we believed, then it wasn’t worth being a company at all.” His resignation follows a merger agreement intended to protect the brand’s social mission, which he believes has been compromised. He noted that the independence they once had was largely due to the unique terms negotiated during the merger with Unilever.
Background of Tensions with Unilever
The ongoing conflict between Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever escalated after the ice cream maker announced in July 2021 that it would cease sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This decision led to legal disputes, with Ben & Jerry’s suing Unilever over alleged efforts to suppress its social stance. Greenfield’s resignation further highlights the internal struggles within the company regarding its social activism and commitment to various global issues.
Last week, Cohen revealed that amidst these tensions, the brand had sought to pursue a sale to investors, valuing the company between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion. However, this proposal was reportedly rejected by Unilever. The ongoing challenges raise questions about the future of Ben & Jerry’s and its ability to maintain its identity as a socially conscious brand while under the corporate umbrella of Unilever.
As of now, both Ben & Jerry’s and Unilever have not provided comments regarding Greenfield’s resignation to media outlets, including Reuters. The situation remains dynamic, with stakeholders closely monitoring the implications of this decision on the brand’s future direction and its commitment to social issues.
