Thursday, September 18, 2025 -Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, has stepped down after nearly five decades, citing irreconcilable differences with parent company Unilever.
He accused the multinational of silencing the brand’s social mission, which was meant to remain independent when Unilever acquired the ice cream maker in 2000.
The dispute has centered on Ben & Jerry’s activism, including its stance on sales in occupied Palestinian territories and public positions on issues like civil rights and LGBTQ+ rights.
Greenfield argued that Unilever blocked or diluted the company’s voice, undermining the values on which it was built.
His resignation highlights the tension between corporate ownership and brand activism. While Unilever insists it remains committed to Ben & Jerry’s mission, Greenfield’s exit raises questions about whether the company can continue to embody the social advocacy that made it a global symbol of values-driven business.
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