Jerry quits Ben & Jerry's, saying its independence on social issues has been stifled

"For more than 20 years under their ownership, Ben & Jerry's stood up and spoke out in support of peace, justice and human rights, not as abstract concepts, but in relation to real events happening in our world, he wrote. That independence existed in no small part because of the unique merger agreement Ben and I negotiated with Unilever, one that enshrined our social mission and values in the company's governance structure in perpetuity. It's profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone."

"Standing up for the values of justice, equity, and our shared humanity has never been more important, and yet Ben & Jerry's has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power, he said. It's easy to stand up and speak out when there's nothing at risk. The real test of values is when times are challenging and you have something to lose."

"Greenfield said that the loss of independence was coming at a time when our country's current administration is attacking civil rights, voting rights, the rights of immigrants, women and the LGBTQ community."

Jerry Greenfield is leaving Ben & Jerry's after 47 years, saying the company's independence to speak on social issues was lost to Unilever. He noted Ben & Jerry's spoke out for peace, justice and human rights for more than 20 years, enabled by a unique merger agreement that enshrined the company's social mission and governance. Greenfield called it profoundly disappointing that the independence, central to the sale to Unilever, is gone. He said the loss of independence coincides with attacks on civil, voting and other rights, and that the brand has been silenced and sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power.

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