"The resignation letter was posted by Ben on his personal account. In it, Jerry made it clear that he still loves the company and the people who work there. His own passion came from being able to use his position to advocate for social justice and values that he and Ben instilled in the company. Jerry further noted that "the independence to pursue our values, which was guaranteed when Unilever bought the company" in 2000 was imperative to the sale - though now says "It's profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence ... is gone.""
"Jerry went on to say that "love, equity, and justice" are the "foundation" of the company - though "Ben and Jerry's has been silenced [and] sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power." He concludes that he feels he cannot carry the company's foundational values forward as part of the organization. For that reason, he has stepped down to pursue them independently."
Jerry Greenfield resigned from Ben & Jerry's after 47 years, saying he still loves the company and its people but can no longer advance its founding values from within. The company has a history of supporting causes including climate change, racial justice, and responsible dairy sourcing. Greenfield said the independence guaranteed at Unilever's 2000 purchase was crucial to that mission and that the loss of that independence has left Ben & Jerry's silenced and sidelined. He described the decision as painful and plans to pursue those values independently.
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