Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, has stepped down from the iconic ice cream brand after 47 years, saying the company has lost the freedom to stand up for social justice under its parent company, Unilever.
Greenfield's decision comes after ongoing conflicts between Ben & Jerry's leadership and Unilever, which bought the company in 2000.
According to CBS News, in a social media post shared by co-founder Ben Cohen, Greenfield explained that the brand can no longer freely operate in line with its core values.
"It's profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone," Greenfield said.
The company, known for flavors like "Cherry Garcia" and "Half Baked," gained popularity not only for its ice cream but also for its support of progressive causes.
But in recent years, tension has grown between Ben & Jerry's leadership and Unilever, especially over political issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and US civil rights.
Ben & Jerry’s cofounder Jerry Greenfield is leaving the ice cream brand after 47 years, saying that the independence it once had to speak up on social issues has been stifled by parent company Unilever. https://t.co/HnSE4Dwomg pic.twitter.com/nSPf4eGRCB
— FORTUNE (@FortuneMagazine) September 17, 2025
Read more: Ben & Jerry's Sues Parent Company, Unilever, for Silencing Their Support Statements on Gaza
Greenfield Resigns, Says Ben & Jerry's Values 'Silenced' by Parent Company
In 2022, Ben & Jerry's tried to stop Unilever from selling its products in Israeli settlements in the West Bank — a move the company said went against its values.
The effort failed. Then in 2024, Ben & Jerry's said its CEO had been removed by Unilever without following the process agreed upon in the merger. That decision is now part of an ongoing legal dispute.
Unilever, which is spinning off its ice cream division into a separate company called Magnum by November, responded to Greenfield's resignation with a statement:
"We disagree with his perspective," a Magnum spokesperson said. "We remain committed to Ben & Jerry's mission and legacy."
Greenfield, now 74, co-founded the Vermont-based brand with his childhood friend Ben Cohen in 1978, CBC said.
The two built a company that openly supported causes like climate action, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice — a rare approach in the corporate world.
"Ben & Jerry's has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power," Greenfield added.
He noted that true values are measured during difficult times, especially when there is something at stake.
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