Jerry Greenfield, the co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has stepped down from the ice cream brand he helped build in the late 1970s. Greenfield announced his resignation this week, saying he could no longer continue under the control of the company’s parent firm, Unilever.
Greenfield said the decision followed an ongoing dispute with Unilever over how the brand handles social and political issues. He accused the multinational company of restricting Ben & Jerry’s from speaking out on matters it has supported for decades.
In an open resignation letter shared online, Greenfield said the company had been “silenced and sidelined” out of fear of upsetting people in positions of power. He noted that this was happening at a time when he believes civil rights, voting rights, and protections for marginalized groups are under threat.
Greenfield explained that Ben & Jerry’s had always stood for more than just selling ice cream. From the start, he said, the brand was built as a way to spread kindness and promote fairness. He added that its purpose was to create positive change while serving fun and inventive flavors.
Ben & Jerry’s has long been known for mixing bold flavors with bold values. Over the years, it has supported issues like climate action, racial justice, LGBTQ rights, and fair trade. The brand’s social campaigns have often attracted both praise and controversy, setting it apart in the corporate world.
Greenfield said he believed Unilever had stopped the company from speaking up on these causes. He argued that this silence went against the spirit on which the brand was founded. He also claimed it sent the wrong message to fans who expect the brand to stand by its values.
Ben & Jerry’s has faced tensions with Unilever before. Last year, the company said its CEO had been removed due to disagreements about its political activism. Greenfield’s resignation now adds to the public struggle between the ice cream maker and its corporate parent.
He said his departure was not about personal ambition or profits but about staying true to the mission he and Ben Cohen began with. The two childhood friends opened their first ice cream shop in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978. Their creative flavors and strong social stances helped them grow into one of the world’s most recognizable dessert brands.
Unilever bought Ben & Jerry’s in 2000. At the time, the deal was seen as unusual because it allowed the company to keep its independent board to protect its social mission. But Greenfield’s statement suggests he feels that independence has faded under Unilever’s control.
Greenfield wrote that stepping away was painful but necessary. He said it was important for him to speak honestly about what he saw happening inside the company. He also called on future leaders to revive the brand’s original mission and use its platform to push for fairness and equality.
Greenfield’s resignation marks the end of an era for Ben & Jerry’s. His voice has been central to the company’s identity for decades. He said he will continue to support causes that align with the values he helped build into the brand.
The departure leaves questions about how Ben & Jerry’s will handle social issues in the future. For now, Greenfield says he hopes the company can rediscover the balance between fun and activism that made it stand out in the first place.
