Editing Ben & Jerry's (section)

==History==
===Founding===
[[File:Ben and Jerry.jpg|thumb|[[Jerry Greenfield]] (left) and [[Ben Cohen (businessman)|Ben Cohen]] in 2010]]

The company was founded by [[Ben Cohen (businessman)|Ben Cohen]] and [[Jerry Greenfield]], who had been friends since their childhood in [[Merrick, New York]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/18/magazine/passing-the-scoop-ben-jerry.html |title=Passing the Scoop; Ben & Jerry|last=Dreifus|first=Claudia |work=[[The New York Times]] |url-access=limited |date=December 18, 1994 |access-date=April 3, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Although Greenfield finished college, he was unable to get into medical school. Cohen dropped out of school.<ref name=History/> In 1977, Cohen and Greenfield completed a [[correspondence course]] on ice cream making from [[Pennsylvania State University]]'s [[Penn State University Creamery|creamery]]. Cohen has severe [[anosmia]], a lack of a sense of smell, so he relies on [[mouthfeel]] and texture to provide variety in his diet. This led to the company's trademark chunks being mixed in with their ice cream.<ref name=History/> On May 5, 1978, with a $12,000<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=Our History |url=http://www.benjerry.com/company/history/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325004518/http://www.benjerry.com/company/history/ |archive-date=March 25, 2010 |access-date=April 2, 2010 |publisher=Ben & Jerry's}}</ref> investment ({{Inflation|US|12000|1978|r=-3|fmt=eq}}), Cohen and Greenfield opened an [[ice cream parlor]] in a renovated gas station in downtown [[Burlington, Vermont]]. In 1979, they marked their anniversary by holding the first "free cone day", now an annual event at every Ben & Jerry's store, from that year to 2019, and resuming in 2023.<ref name=History/>
[[File:A_Ben_&_Jerry's_ice_cream_shop_in_Place_Jacques-Cartier,_Montreal,_Canada_03.jpg|thumb|The interior of a Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlor]]
In 1980, Cohen and Greenfield rented space in an old spool and [[bobbin]] mill on South Champlain Street in Burlington and started packing their ice cream in pints. The first Ben & Jerry's franchise opened in 1981, on [[U.S. Route 7|Route 7]] in [[Shelburne, Vermont]]. In 1983, Ben & Jerry's ice cream was used to build "the world's largest [[Sundae|ice cream sundae]]" in [[St. Albans (city), Vermont|St. Albans, Vermont]]; the sundae weighed {{convert|27102|lb|kg}}. That same year, the cows on their cartons were redesigned by local artist Woody Jackson.<ref>Dan Chu and Martha Babcock. [http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20121051,00.html "The Whole Country Cowtows as Artist Woody Jackson Makes His Big Moove Toward Udder Success"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063922/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0%2C%2C20121051%2C00.html |date=March 4, 2016 }}, ''[[People magazine|People]]'' magazine, August 28, 1989</ref>
[[File:Ben Jerry's display freezer at Dominos.jpg|thumb|upright|Ben & Jerry's display freezer at a [[Domino's Pizza|Domino's]] store]]
In 1984, [[Häagen-Dazs]] wanted to limit distribution of Ben & Jerry's by its distributors in [[Boston]], prompting Ben & Jerry's to file suit against the parent company, [[Pillsbury Company|Pillsbury]], in its "What's the Doughboy Afraid Of?" campaign.<ref>{{cite magazine | date=July 4, 1993 | title=Cookies, Cream 'n' Controversy | magazine=[[Newsweek]] | url=http://www.newsweek.com/cookies-cream-n-controversy-194604 | access-date=July 11, 2016}}</ref> In 1987, Häagen-Dazs again tried to enforce exclusive distribution, and Ben & Jerry's filed a second lawsuit against the Pillsbury Company.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}

In 1985, the Ben & Jerry's Foundation was established at the end of the year with a gift from Ben & Jerry's to fund community-oriented projects; it was then provided with 7.5% of the company's annual pre-tax profits. In 1986, Ben & Jerry's launched its "Cowmobile", a modified mobile home used to distribute free scoops of Ben & Jerry's ice cream in a unique, cross-country "marketing drive", driven and served by Ben and Jerry themselves. The "Cowmobile" burned to the ground outside of [[Cleveland]] four months later, but there were no injuries. Ben said it looked like "the world's largest [[baked Alaska]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jerrygreenfield.com |title=Jerry Greenfield |date=March 2005 |website=jerrygreenfield.com |access-date=December 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324115747/http://www.jerrygreenfield.com/ |archive-date= March 24, 2008 }}</ref>
In 1987, as a tribute to guitarist [[Jerry Garcia]], Ben & Jerry's presented its first ice cream named for a rock legend and the most famous of fan-suggested flavors, "Cherry Garcia".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.benjerry.com/flavors/cherry-garcia-ice-cream | title=Cherry Garcia Cherry Ice Cream with Cherries & Fudge Flakes|publisher=Ben & Jerry's|access-date=July 27, 2021}}</ref>

In 1985, Ben and Jerry's built and opened their factory in Waterbury, Vermont. The factory opened to public tours in 1986 and continues to offer these tours. This facility produces 350,000 or more pints of ice cream a day. It is the only Ben and Jerry's facility open to the public.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/factory-tours | title=Factory Tour|publisher=Ben & Jerry's|access-date=April 5, 2024}}</ref>

In 1988, the two men won the title of U.S. Small Business Persons of the Year, awarded by President [[Ronald Reagan]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19880510&id=5EojAAAAIBAJ&pg=4255,957757|title=Ben & Jerry's founders are named Small Business Persons of the Year|work=[[The Palm Beach Post]]|date=May 10, 1988|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718155747/http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19880510&id=5EojAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ps8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4255,957757|archive-date=July 18, 2012|access-date=October 7, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Also that year, the first brownies were ordered from [[Greyston Bakery]], which led to the development of the popular Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Baking In The Glory |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |url=http://www.benjerry.co.uk/ourbrownies/ |access-date=July 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511160741/http://www.benjerry.co.uk/ourbrownies/ |archive-date=May 11, 2008 }}</ref> In 1992, Ben & Jerry's joined in a cooperative campaign with the national non-profit [[Children's Defense Fund]]; the campaign goal was to bring children's basic needs to the top of the national agenda. Over 70,000 postcards were sent to [[United States Congress|Congress]] concerning kids and other national issues. In 1995, they hired [[Robert Holland (executive)|Robert Holland Jr.]] as CEO after holding a "Yo! I'm your C.E.O." essay contest as part of the search.<ref>{{cite news |last=Collins|first=Glenn|date=February 2, 1995|title=Ben & Jerry's Talent Hunt Ends|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/02/business/ben-jerry-s-talent-hunt-ends.html |newspaper=The New York Times |url-access=limited |access-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref> Holland left after 20 months following philosophical differences and was replaced by Perry Odak in 1997.<ref name="lat1997">Staff report (January 3, 1997). [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/10683254.html?dids=10683254:10683254&FMT=ABS Ben & Jerry's Appoints Former Gun Exec as CEO.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115221315/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/10683254.html?dids=10683254%3A10683254&FMT=ABS |date=January 15, 2013 }} ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''</ref>

In 1989, Ben & Jerry's announced their opposition to the use of [[recombinant bovine growth hormone]] (rBGH) in all their products. This genetically engineered hormone is sometimes given to cows to boost milk production, but Ben & Jerry's does not support this practice and is in favor of using less chemically intensive ingredients for the safety of consumers and the environment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benjerry.com/values/issues-we-care-about/rbgh |title=Issues We Care About |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |access-date= February 21, 2014}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=February 2022}}
 [[Image:BenJerry-UnitedSquare.jpg|thumb|Ben & Jerry's ice-cream branch at the [[United Square Shopping Mall]] in Singapore]]

In 1994, ''Ben & Jerry's: The Inside Scoop'', written by Fred "Chico" Lager, former CEO of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, was published. The book tracks the history of how Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream got started. The book focuses on "How Two Real Guys Built a Business with a Social Conscience and a Sense of Humor."<ref>Lager, Fred "Chico". ''Ben & Jerry's: The Inside Scoop''. 1st ed. New York: [[Crown Publishers]], 1994. Print.</ref>

===Unilever era===
====Sale of company to Unilever====
[[File:A_Ben_&_Jerry's_ice_cream_shop_in_Place_Jacques-Cartier,_Montreal,_Canada_04.jpg|thumb|A Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop in [[Place Jacques-Cartier]], [[Montreal]]]]
In April 2000, Ben & Jerry's sold itself to British multinational food giant [[Unilever]] for $326 million ($607 million in 2025 accounting for inflation).<ref>{{cite web |last=Meadows |first=Donella |url=http://www.commondreams.org/views/041300-106.htm |work=[[Common Dreams]] |title=The Globalization of Ben & Jerry's|date=April 13, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000901230848/http://commondreams.org/views/041300-106.htm |archive-date=September 1, 2000}}</ref> In the acquisition agreement, Unilever agreed to carry on the company's tradition of engaging "in these critical, global economic and social missions".<ref name=IsraelBoycott/> Following the acquisition, both founders remained employed at the company, though not in a position of operational or managerial responsibility,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/qa/documents/03073228.asp |date=August 14, 2003 |newspaper=Boston Phoenix |title=Coneheads |access-date=April 15, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504162557/http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/qa/documents/03073228.asp |archive-date=May 4, 2008 }}</ref> though Cohen remained on the governing board of directors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dairynetwork.com/doc/ben-jerrys-co-founders-protest-new-ceo-0001 |title=Ben & Jerry's co-founders protest new CEO | date=21 November 2000 |last=Clark |first=Jerry |website=Dairy Network.com}}</ref>

In 2010, Jostein Solheim, a Unilever executive from Norway, was appointed CEO.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.foodprocessing.com/ceo/jostein_solheim.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928054424/http://www.foodprocessing.com/ceo/jostein_solheim.html |archive-date= September 28, 2011 |url-status = live |website=foodprocessing.com |title=Wellness Foods Division President: Jostein Solheim, Ben & Jerry's Homemade |access-date=April 1, 2010}}</ref>

In 2018, Matthew McCarthy, previously a Unilever executive, was appointed CEO, replacing Solheim.<ref name="Ben & Jerry's Introduces New CEO">{{cite press release |title=Ben & Jerry's Introduces New CEO |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ben--jerrys-introduces-new-ceo-300697577.html |publisher=Cision PR Newswire |access-date=June 17, 2020}}</ref>

In 2019, Ben & Jerry's had production facilities in [[St. Albans (town), Vermont|Saint Albans]], [[Vermont]];<ref name="NV">{{cite web|url=https://vermontbiz.com/news/2019/june/28/ben-jerry%27s-owner-close-nevada-ice-cream-plant|work=VermontBIZ|date=June 28, 2019|title=Ben & Jerry's owner to close Nevada ice cream plant|access-date=July 27, 2022|archive-date=July 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727153325/https://vermontbiz.com/news/2019/june/28/ben-jerry%27s-owner-close-nevada-ice-cream-plant|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Waterbury, Vermont|Waterbury]], Vermont;<ref name=NV/> [[Hellendoorn]], Netherlands;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2014/the-chunkinator|work=Ben&Jerry's|title=An Ice Cream Factory Powered by... Ice Cream!|access-date=August 16, 2019}}</ref> and [[Be'er Tuvia]], Israel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Cookies-n-cream-and-tikkun-olam-575562|title=The scoop on Ben & Jerry's in Israel|work=The Jerusalem Post |last=Hoffman |first=Carl |date=December 29, 2018|access-date=July 27, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Krueger">{{cite news |last=Krueger |first=Hanna |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/07/15/metro/its-been-58-days-since-ben-jerrys-posted-social-media-heres-how-their-silence-may-be-tied-middle-east |title=It's been nearly two months since Ben & Jerry's posted on social media. Here's how its silence may be tied to the Middle East |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |url-access=limited |date=July 15, 2021 |access-date=July 16, 2021 }}</ref> The Israeli facility was sold to its local licensee in June 2022.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=29 June 2022 |title=Unilever reaches new business arrangement for Ben & Jerry's in Israel |url=https://www.unilever.com/news/press-and-media/press-releases/2022/unilever-reaches-new-business-arrangement-for-ben-jerrys-in-israel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629225158/https://www.unilever.com/news/press-and-media/press-releases/2022/unilever-reaches-new-business-arrangement-for-ben-jerrys-in-israel/ |archive-date=29 June 2022 |access-date=2 September 2023 |website=Unilever |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On May 15, 2023, the company announced [[Dave Stever]] as the new CEO after the preceding CEO, Matthew McCarthy, retired from the company.<ref name="SteverCEO">{{Cite web |title=Ben & Jerry's elevates Stever to CEO |url=https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/23821-ben-and-jerrys-elevates-stever-to-ceo |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Food Business News |language=en}}</ref>

On March 18, 2025, the company stated in a court filing that Unilever had unlawfully removed Stever as CEO in retaliation for social and political activism.<ref name="ap-19mar2025">{{cite news |last1=Durbin |first1=Dee-Ann |title=Ben & Jerry’s alleges parent company Unilever removed its CEO over social activism |url=https://apnews.com/article/unilever-ben-jerrys-ice-cream-ceo-activism-f0dfc60035b7a3e57e11421f5494c0c7 |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=[[Associated Press]] |date=March 19, 2025}}</ref>

====Changes in packaging====
In 2001, Ben & Jerry's U.S. completed the transition to "Eco-Pint" packaging, which packaged all pint flavors in environmentally friendly [[Bleaching of wood pulp|unbleached]] [[paperboard]] Eco-Pint containers, a decision it later reversed. The use of [[Kraft paper|brown-kraft]] unbleached paperboard had been a critical first step toward a totally biodegradable pint made without added chlorine.

Due to what they described as increasing supply, quality, and cost challenges, Ben & Jerry's discontinued the use of the Eco-Pint in 2006, transitioning to a pint container made out of a bleached paperboard that it said was more readily available.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.benjerry.com/about-us/sear-reports/2006-sear-report |title=2006 Social & Environmental Assessment Report |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=May 12, 2016}}</ref>

====Opposition to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge====
On [[Earth Day]] in 2005, when a vote in the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] proposed the [[Arctic Refuge drilling controversy|opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling]], Ben & Jerry's launched a protest by creating the largest ever [[Baked Alaska]], which weighed {{convert|900|lb}}, and placed it in front of the [[United States Capitol Building|U.S. Capitol Building]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Courson |first1=Paul |title=Oil-drilling protesters bring dessert |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/04/22/anwr.protests/ |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=CNN |date=April 22, 2005}}</ref>

====April Fool's Day joke====
In March 2009, "CyClone Dairy" launched an advertising campaign and a website to promote its milk products, which purportedly came exclusively from cloned cows.<ref name=cyclone>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclonedairy.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330053234/http://www.cyclonedairy.com/|website=cyclonedairy.com|archive-date=March 30, 2012|title=CyClone Dairy – Perfect Cows. Perfect Milk|url-status=usurped|date=March 30, 2012}}</ref> On April 1, 2009 ([[April Fool's Day]]), Ben & Jerry's announced that it was behind this fake company. Ben & Jerry's had created the tongue-in-cheek hoax to raise awareness of the increasing presence of products from cloned animals within American food<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Paynter |first=Ben |url=https://www.wired.com/medtech/health/magazine/15-11/ff_clonedmeat?currentPage=all |title=Cloned Beef (and Pork and Milk): It's What's for Dinner |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |url-access=limited |access-date=April 2, 2010 |date=October 16, 2007}}</ref> and to campaign for a tracking system of cloned animal products.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ga3.org/campaign/CloneTracking |title=Take Action: Tell Congress to create a tracking system for cloned animals! |website=Ga3.org |access-date=April 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416053210/http://ga3.org/campaign/CloneTracking |archive-date=April 16, 2010 }}</ref> The hoax was revealed on April Fool's Day with the message: "We believe you should have the right to choose which foods you eat — and not to eat cloned foods if you don't want to. And that's why Ben & Jerry's believes we need a national clone tracking system, so people and companies can know where their food is coming from."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benjerry.com/activism/inside-the-pint/more-about-milk/cow-cloning/ |title=Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream – Cow Cloning |work=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=April 2, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100426190941/http://www.benjerry.com/activism/inside-the-pint/more-about-milk/cow-cloning/| archive-date= April 26, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

====GMO-free====
In 2013, Ben & Jerry's committed to making their products [[GMO]]-free in support of mandatory GMO labeling legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benjerry.com/about-us#5timeline |title=Our History |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=February 21, 2014}}</ref>

[[Image:Freeconeday cowgirl.jpg|thumb|Woman in cow costume promoting Free Cone Day outside a Ben & Jerry's shop in [[Stockholm]], Sweden]]

====Sales in Israel and Palestinian Territories====
On July 19, 2021, it was announced that Ben & Jerry's planned to end sales in [[Palestinian territories|Occupied Palestinian Territory]], within which Israeli settlements are considered [[International law and Israeli settlements|illegal under international law]].<ref name=Guardian>{{cite web |last=Hage |first=Mark |date=August 5, 2021 |title=We got Ben & Jerry's to stop selling in Israeli settlements. Here's how we did it|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/05/ben-jerrys-israel-settlement |work=The Guardian |access-date=August 25, 2021}}</ref> Due to the refusal of American Quality Products - Ben & Jerry's Israel, its local franchisee since 1987,<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 10, 2015 |title=Ben & Jerry's Business in Israel |url=https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2015/ben-and-jerrys-business-in-israel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205102616/https://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2015/ben-and-jerrys-business-in-israel |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=Ben & Jerry's |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Avi Zinger |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/avi-zinger-8005226/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230902064217/https://www.linkedin.com/in/avi-zinger-8005226/ |archive-date=2 September 2023 |access-date=2 September 2023 |website=LinkedIn}}</ref> to comply with this policy, the company statement said it did not plan to renew the franchise in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2021 |title=Ben & Jerry's Will End Sales of Our Ice Cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territory |url=https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/media-center/opt-statement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805045255/https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/media-center/opt-statement |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |access-date=September 2, 2023 |website=Ben & Jerry's}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Elia-Shalev |first=Asaf |date=2021-07-19 |title=Breaking a 2-month silence, Ben & Jerry's ice cream announces boycott of Israeli West Bank settlements |url=https://www.jta.org/2021/07/19/israel/ben-jerrys-ice-cream-announces-boycott-of-israeli-west-bank-settlements |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] |language=}}</ref> The decision may run foul of [[anti-BDS laws]] and policies in a number of US states.<ref name=jpost210721>{{cite web |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/how-us-laws-against-israel-boycotts-could-hit-ben-and-jerrys-674466|title=How US laws against Israel boycotts could hit Ben & Jerry's |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |first=Ron |last=Kampeas |date=July 21, 2021 |access-date=July 23, 2021}}</ref> The statement, issued by Unilever, was criticized by Ben & Jerry's independent board of directors, which had not wanted to comment on the continuation of sales in other parts of Israel, as this required board approval.<ref name=IsraelBoycott>{{cite web |last=Solon |first=Olivia |date=July 20, 2021 |title=Ben & Jerry's withdraws sales from Israeli settlements but clashes with parent company Unilever |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/ben-jerry-s-withdraws-sales-israeli-settlements-clashes-parent-company-n1274403 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=August 25, 2021}}</ref>

On June 29, 2022, Unilever announced that it had sold its Ben & Jerry's division in Israel to American Quality Products, the company that had the exclusive license to sell Ben & Jerry's products in Israel and the Palestinian territories.<ref name=":0" /> Later that day, Ben & Jerry's tweeted that it disagreed with its parent company's decision and that the "arrangement means Ben & Jerry's in Israel will be owned and operated by AQP. Our company will no longer profit from Ben & Jerry's in Israel. We continue to believe it is inconsistent with Ben & Jerry's values for our ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory."<ref>{{Cite tweet |author= Ben & Jerry's |user= benandjerrys |number= 1542241528470437890 |date= June 30, 2022 |title= We are aware of the Unilever announcement |script-title= |trans-title= |language= |retweet= |location= |access-date= August 22, 2022 |link= |url-status= |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220629234842/https://twitter.com/benandjerrys/status/1542241528470437890 |archive-date= June 29, 2022 |quote= "We are aware of the Unilever announcement. While our parent company has taken this decision, we do not agree with it. Unilever's arrangement means Ben & Jerry's in Israel will be owned and operated by AQP. Our company will no longer profit from Ben & Jerry's in Israel. We continue to believe it is inconsistent with Ben & Jerry's values for our ice cream to be sold in the Occupied Palestinian Territory." |ref=}}</ref>

====Free cones====
Every year, over one million cones are given away, prompting the company's ad slogan "Be One In A Million." Charitable organizations are often present at the stores each year and enjoy a significant amount of fundraising success. Often, local celebrities show up at various stores, promoting the day and the charities there.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.vegasnews.com/6178/ben-jerry%e2%80%99s-31st-annual-free-cone-day-serves-more-than-7300-scoops-raises-money-for-local-charities.html | title = Ben & Jerry's 31st Annual "Free Cone Day" Serves More Than 7,300 Scoops & Raises Money for Local Charities | date = April 22, 2009 | website = VegasNews.com | access-date = February 28, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130113140945/http://www.vegasnews.com/6178/ben-jerry%e2%80%99s-31st-annual-free-cone-day-serves-more-than-7300-scoops-raises-money-for-local-charities.html | archive-date = January 13, 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Sometimes the event is scheduled to coincide with [[Earth Day]] and sometimes volunteers are on hand with clipboards and voter registration forms to help those who would like to register to vote (in those countries where that is necessary).

Due to the start of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in 2020, Free Cone Day was on hiatus<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ries |first1=Brian |last2=Guzman |first2=Francisco |title=Ben & Jerry's postpones Free Cone Day over coronavirus fears|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/business/ben--jerrys-free-cone-day-trnd/index.html |access-date=28 February 2022 |work=CNN Business |date=March 10, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> through 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.benjerry.com/scoop-shops/free-cone-day |title=Free Cone Day |publisher=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=2022-03-13}}</ref>

====Reduction of farm emissions====
In May 2022, the company announced the launch of its pilot project, 'Mootopia', across 15 of its supplier farms (7 in the US and 8 in the Netherlands). The goal of the project is to bring the emissions intensity of the farms to a level that is half of the US industry average by the end of 2024. The farms will be supported to adopt [[regenerative agriculture]] practices for growing grass and other feed crops.<ref>{{cite web |last1=George |first1=Sarah |title=Ben & Jerry's pilots regenerative agriculture scheme to cut dairy farm emissions |url=https://www.edie.net/ben-jerrys-pilots-regenerative-agriculture-scheme-to-cut-dairy-farm-emissions/ |website=edie |access-date=30 May 2022 |date=May 9, 2022}}</ref>

====Child labor scandal====
Months after teaming up with [[Tony's Chocolonely]] to raise awareness for ending modern slavery and child labor in the chocolate industry, Ben and Jerry's suppliers were found by ''The New York Times'' to be employing illegal migrant children in early 2023. Ben & Jerry's head of values-led sourcing, Cheryl Pinto, said that "if migrant children needed to work full time, it was preferable for them to have jobs at a well-monitored workplace".<ref>{{Cite web| title=Ben & Jerry's addresses modern slavery in the supply chain with Tony's Chocolonely partnership | url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90780513/ben-and-jerrys-modern-slavery-supply-chain-tonys-chocolate |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=Fast Company |language=en}}</ref><ref name="nytmcw">{{cite news |last1=Dreier |first1=Hannah |title=Alone and Exploited, Migrant Children Work Brutal Jobs Across the U.S. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/25/us/unaccompanied-migrant-child-workers-exploitation.html |work=The New York Times |date=2023-02-28}}</ref>

===="Progress Comes in Many Flavors" campaign====

In July 2024, Ben and Jerry's started an ad campaign called "Progress Comes in Many Flavors," a series of advertisements that strongly encouraged progressive action.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Let's Make Some Motherchunkin' Change! |website=Ben & Jerry's |url=https://www.benjerry.com/actnow}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwZWGaC3fOk |title=Progress Comes In Many Flavors |date=2024-07-19 |last=Ben & Jerry's |access-date=2024-10-04 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

===Unilever spin-off===

On March 19, 2024, Unilever announced it would divest its ice cream brands and cut 7,500 jobs in order to make "a simpler, more focused and higher performing Unilever." Included in the spin-off are Ben & Jerry's, [[Cornetto (frozen dessert)|Cornetto]], [[Magnum (ice cream)|Magnum]], [[Talenti]], and [[Wall's (ice cream)|Wall's]]. The divestment is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karaian |first=Jason |date=March 19, 2024 |title=Unilever to Cut 7,500 Jobs and Spin Off Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Unit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/business/unilever-ben-jerrys-job-cuts.html |access-date=March 19, 2024 |website=New York Times}}</ref>

==== Allegations of censorship and retaliation against Unilever ====
In 2025, Ben & Jerry's independent board accused Unilever of violating the company's independence as stipulated in the merger agreement the two companies signed in 2000. The board said that Unilever had prevented it from posting on social media in support of [[Palestinian refugees]], the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] rights of [[2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses|student protestors]] and a ceasefire in the [[Gaza war]]. The board also said that Unilever had blocked its donations to [[Jewish Voice for Peace]] and the [[Council on American–Islamic Relations|Council on American-Islamic Relations]]. It also alleged that Unilever had blocked more recent posts in opposition to Donald Trump's second presidential agenda, and fired CEO [[David Stever]] in retaliation for the company's political stances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |date=2025-03-20 |title=Ben & Jerry's alleges its CEO was fired over its political activism. Here's the scoop |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/03/20/nx-s1-5334417/ben-jerrys-ceo-removed-unilever-lawsuit-activism |access-date=2025-03-25 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref>