Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, has announced his departure from the ice cream brand after 47 years. He cited a loss of independence to address social issues as a primary reason for his decision. Greenfield's resignation was shared by fellow co-founder Ben Cohen on social media. In his statement, Greenfield expressed that it was a painful choice, stating, "It’s with a broken heart that I’ve decided I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry’s."

Greenfield accused parent company Unilever of stifling the brand's ability to engage in social and political discourse, which has been integral to its identity. He noted that for over two decades, Ben & Jerry's had actively supported causes related to peace, justice, and human rights. However, he feels that this independence has diminished under Unilever's ownership. "It’s profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone," he wrote.

The relationship between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever has been strained for some time. In 2021, the ice cream company announced it would cease sales in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that drew significant backlash and led to further tensions with Unilever. Last year, Ben & Jerry's filed a lawsuit against Unilever, claiming the company had censored its public statements regarding support for Palestinian refugees and other progressive issues.

In March, Ben & Jerry's accused Unilever of violating their merger agreement by removing CEO David Stever, asserting that such decisions should involve consultation with the brand's board. Unilever has consistently denied these claims, stating that it values Ben & Jerry's mission and has sought constructive dialogue with its co-founders.

As part of a restructuring plan, Unilever is spinning off its ice cream business, including Ben & Jerry's, into a new entity called The Magnum Ice Cream Company. A spokesperson for Magnum expressed gratitude for Greenfield's contributions but disagreed with his perspective on the brand's current direction. "We will be forever grateful to Jerry for his role in co-founding such an amazing ice cream company," the spokesperson said.

Greenfield's departure comes at a time when he believes it is crucial to advocate for civil rights and social justice. He lamented that Ben & Jerry's has been "silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power," particularly in light of current political challenges facing various communities in the U.S. Despite no longer holding an official role, Greenfield and Cohen have remained brand ambassadors, promoting new flavors and initiatives.

The future of Ben & Jerry's remains uncertain as it navigates its relationship with Unilever and the new Magnum Ice Cream Company.