Jerry Of Ben & Jerry’s Calls It Quits, Says Brand’s Activism Was ‘Silenced’

The Jerry in Ben & Jerry’s—yes, that Jerry Greenfield—is calling it quits after 47 years, and he’s not leaving quietly.

In a letter shared by co-founder Ben Cohen, Greenfield revealed he’s walking away from the iconic ice cream brand because he believes parent company Unilever has stripped it of its independence to speak out on social issues.

“For more than 20 years under their ownership, Ben & Jerry’s stood up and spoke out in support of peace, justice, and human rights,” Greenfield wrote. “It’s profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence… is gone.”

Greenfield didn’t hold back on what that means today, pointing to attacks on civil rights, voting rights, immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community, saying Ben & Jerry’s has now been “silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power.”

This clash isn’t new. Earlier this year, Ben & Jerry’s said its CEO was unlawfully removed by Unilever after the brand’s activism. And in November, it even sued its parent company in federal court, accusing Unilever of blocking posts about Gaza and Trump’s second term.

For Greenfield, the breaking point seems clear: the brand that once used flavors like Cherry Garcia and Phish Food to spread peace, love, and activism is now, in his words, muted.

Unilever is currently spinning off its entire ice cream business—Ben & Jerry’s included—into a new company called The Magnum Ice Cream Company. But for Jerry Greenfield, that new chapter won’t include him.

For me, this isn’t just corporate news—it’s a gut punch. Silencing that activism feels like stripping away a rare megaphone for noble causes in a landscape where most companies hide behind “no comment.” I’ve always admired how Ben & Jerry’s refused to stay quiet on matters of humanity. To see that legacy muted isn’t just disappointing—it’s a huge blow to the ongoing fight for progress.

This isn’t just about ice cream. It’s about how fragile voices for justice can be when profit takes the driver’s seat.