Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigns, says Unilever silenced brand's activism

Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has stepped down from the ice cream company, his longtime partner Ben Cohen announced on Wednesday, in a move that has brought to a head the hostile relationship between the Vermont-based brand and its parent, Unilever, which acquired it in 2000.

In an open letter posted on social media, Greenfield said the brand’s independence had been eroded under Unilever, which he accused of curbing its history of outspoken social activism.

"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 said he could no longer, "in good conscience" continue to remain an employee of Ben & Jerry's.

The resignation marks the latest chapter in a dispute that has simmered for years, particularly since 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s halted sales in Israeli-occupied West Bank territories, citing inconsistency with its values.

Source: X

'Independence to speak in support of peace, justice, human rights, gone': Greenfield

Greenfield pointed to the merger agreement that originally guaranteed Ben & Jerry’s autonomy in pursuing its social mission, which has been central to its identity since its founding in 1978.

“That independence existed in no small part because of the unique merger agreement Ben and I negotiated with Unilever,” he said.

Unilever has disputed the co-founder’s claims.

A spokesperson for The Magnum Ice Cream Company, the newly created unit set to house Ben & Jerry’s along with other Unilever ice cream brands, said it disagreed with Greenfield’s assessment.

“We have sought to engage both co-founders in constructive dialogue on strengthening Ben & Jerry’s values-based position,” the spokesperson said.

Unilever itself did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Disagreements over listing of Ben & Jerry's as part of ice cream division

The dispute comes as Unilever prepares to spin off its global ice cream division, including Ben & Jerry’s, into a separate listed entity in November.

Both Greenfield and Cohen recently urged investors and Unilever’s board to exclude Ben & Jerry’s from the plan, insisting the brand must regain independence.

Last week, Cohen disclosed that the brand had even attempted to arrange a sale to investors at a valuation of $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion, but the proposal was rejected by Unilever.

The company has also accused its parent of interfering in management.

In March, Ben & Jerry’s alleged in court that Unilever dismissed its chief executive, David Stever, after he refused to “oversee the dismantling” of the company’s progressive values.

History of clashes between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever

The ice cream maker has repeatedly taken its parent to court in recent years.

In February, it accused Unilever of pressuring it to stop criticizing former US president Donald Trump.

In November last year, it filed a lawsuit claiming Unilever had tried to dismantle its independent board to silence its support for Palestinian refugees during the Gaza war.

Ben & Jerry’s is one of the few major US brands to describe the conflict in Gaza as “genocide,” a position that has fuelled tensions with its owner.

Unilever, by contrast, has sought to temper the brand’s outspoken activism, arguing that political statements risk alienating customers.

Ben & Jerry's legacy of activism

Since its founding, Ben & Jerry’s has built its identity on linking business with social causes.

In the 1980s, it advocated for reduced US military spending and opposed the Persian Gulf War.

In 2013, it launched a special flavour in support of marriage equality.

Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the brand released a statement titled We Must Dismantle White Supremacy, urging lawmakers to pass measures addressing the legacy of slavery.

More recently, in the wake of the 2024 US election, Ben & Jerry’s reiterated support for abortion rights, stricter gun laws, and ending arms sales to Israel.

“Ben & Jerry’s will continue to unapologetically support the advocates who champion the above agenda regardless of who sits in the Oval Office,” it said at the time.