Ben & Jerry’s at a Crossroads: Why Co-Founder Jerry Greenfield Quit

Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has stepped down from the company after nearly half a century, deepening a long-running dispute with parent company Unilever over the brand’s tradition of political and social activism.

In a letter shared by fellow co-founder Ben Cohen, Greenfield said he could no longer “in good conscience” remain with the firm after Unilever allegedly blocked its ability to speak out on key issues.

The conflict traces back to 2021, when Ben & Jerry’s announced it would stop selling ice cream in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, a decision Unilever reversed, sparking legal battles over whether the brand’s social mission, which was protected in its merger with Unilever 25 years ago, was being undermined.

Unilever, now spinning off its ice cream business, expressed gratitude to Greenfield but rejected his view, saying it has engaged both founders in discussions on the company’s future direction.

Since its founding in 1978, Ben & Jerry’s has championed causes such as climate change, positioning itself as more than just an ice cream maker.