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| Jerry Greenfield is parting ways with the company he cofounded, Ben and Jerry's. Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto |
After nearly half a century, Jerry Greenfield, one of the iconic co-founders of Ben & Jerry’s, has officially stepped down — and he didn’t go quietly.
In a heartfelt statement shared late Tuesday, Greenfield said his decision to leave came after years of mounting frustration with parent company Unilever, which he accused of sidelining the ice cream brand’s activist voice.
"It’s with a broken heart that I’ve decided I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee at Ben & Jerry’s," Greenfield wrote. “This is one of the hardest and most painful decisions I’ve ever made.”
A Legacy of Ice Cream and Activism
Greenfield and his business partner Ben Cohen launched Ben & Jerry’s in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont. The brand grew into a global powerhouse — beloved not just for its creative flavors like Cherry Garcia and Phish Food, but also for its outspoken advocacy on issues ranging from climate change and racial justice to campaign finance reform.
When Unilever acquired the company in 2000 for $326 million, the deal included a unique clause granting Ben & Jerry’s continued independence in pursuing social and political causes. For years, that autonomy seemed intact.
But Greenfield now says that spirit of independence has eroded. “It’s profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone,” he wrote.
The Breaking Point: Israel and the West Bank
The tension came to a head in 2021, when Ben & Jerry’s announced it would no longer sell ice cream in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The move sparked a legal battle with Unilever, along with political backlash in the U.S. and Israel.
Greenfield said the fallout marked a turning point: “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.”
Unilever Pushes Back
Unilever, which is currently preparing to spin off its ice cream division — including brands like Magnum, Breyers, and Ben & Jerry’s — issued a carefully worded response.
The company said it disagreed with Greenfield’s assessment but thanked him for his service.
"We remain committed to Ben & Jerry’s unique three-part mission — product, economic and social — and remain focused on carrying forward the legacy of peace, love, and ice cream," a spokesperson said.
Ben & Jerry’s: More Than Just Ice Cream
Throughout its history, Ben & Jerry’s has intertwined its flavors and its politics.
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“Yes Pecan” (2009): Celebrated Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
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“Change is Brewing” (2021): Released after George Floyd’s killing, tied to police reform.
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Occupy Wall Street & Black Lives Matter: The company has released multiple public statements in support.
Both founders have remained personally active. In May 2025, Cohen was arrested during a protest at a U.S. Senate hearing over the war in Gaza.
The End of an Era
For Greenfield, leaving wasn’t just about business — it was about values.
"It 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," he said. “Coming to the conclusion that this is no longer possible at Ben & Jerry’s means I can no longer remain part of Ben & Jerry’s.”
With his departure, for the first time since 1978, there is no Jerry at Ben & Jerry’s — marking the close of a chapter that blended scoops of ice cream with scoops of activism.
