Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, expresses feelings of being torn apart and muzzled before his resignation, as reported by his fellow co-founder.
In a surprising turn of events, Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's, announced his resignation on Tuesday. Greenfield's decision comes amidst allegations of suppression of the company's social security by its parent company, Unilever, and its subsidiary, Magnum Ice Cream Co.
Greenfield, in an open letter, accused Unilever of 'silencing' Ben & Jerry's from openly campaigning for social causes. He expressed emotional distress and feeling 'muzzled' by the corporate giant. His co-founder, Ben Cohen, shared the announcement and voiced his disagreement with Magnum's actions in silencing Ben & Jerry's on social issues.
Cohen, who has vowed to save Ben & Jerry's, believes that consumer demand pressure can force Magnum to allow Ben & Jerry's to be owned by socially aligned investors. He stated that his 'heart says to keep fighting,' with Greenfield being supportive of this decision.
In a bid to maintain the brand's three-part mission - product, economic, and social security - Cohen and Greenfield had asked Unilever to carve out Ben & Jerry's so it could be owned by investors aligned with the social mission. However, their request was not granted.
Meanwhile, Magnum has sought to engage with both Greenfield and Cohen in a constructive conversation. The company remains committed to Ben & Jerry's social mission, as evidenced by its continued operation under the brand's values.
Unilever, the corporate group that owns Ben & Jerry's, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is important to note that Unilever bought the Ben & Jerry's brand in 2000 for $326 million.
About a year ago, Unilever announced plans to spin off its entire ice cream division under the Magnum Ice Cream Co. This move, according to Cohen, could potentially pave the way for a takeover by socially aligned investors, thus allowing Ben & Jerry's to continue its mission unhindered.
Elsewhere, a U.S. immigration judge made a decision concerning Mahmoud Khalil, ordering him for deportation to Algeria or Syria. This decision has sparked controversy and calls for reconsideration.
In other news, the Navy's former second-in-command was sentenced to 6 years for his involvement in a bribery plot. The details of the case are still emerging, but it serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards in all walks of life.
As the future of Ben & Jerry's unfolds, it is clear that the brand's social security mission remains at the forefront of the concerns of its co-founders. Whether through consumer pressure or corporate change, it is hoped that Ben & Jerry's will continue to demonstrate that a company can have humanistic values and still run a profitable business.
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