Chilling Departures: Jerry Greenfield's Exit Amid Ben & Jerry's- Unilever Strife

Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, has resigned amid ongoing disputes with parent company Unilever over its position on the Gaza conflict. Greenfield announced his departure in a letter shared online, citing a loss of independence for the renowned social justice-focused company.

Unilever and Ben & Jerry's have been at odds since the ice cream maker decided in 2021 to end sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The brand has also sued Unilever for attempting to suppress its views, particularly calling the Gaza conflict "genocide," an unusual perspective for an American corporate entity.

Though Greenfield has stepped down as a brand ambassador, a representative from Unilever's Magnum Ice Cream unit expressed disagreement with his perspective but emphasized the company's desire to maintain dialogue with the co-founders. Ben & Jerry's history of social consciousness dates back to 1978 when Greenfield and Ben Cohen started the company with an aim to blend business with activism.