Free Republic

The founders learned this week they aren't getting their business back and their foundation is getting audited. There is a battle under way over the ownership and identity of the iconic ice cream brand Ben and Jerry's — and its radical leftist founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, appear to be losing badly. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal indicated that Cohen was trying to gather investors to buy back the brand that he and Greenfield sold to Unilever 25 years ago. This buyback initiative came just weeks after Unilever removed the company's anti-Trump CEO Dave Stever, allegedly on...

For an ice cream business, Ben & Jerry’s political views are anything but vanilla. Since its first pint in 1978, the brand has become synonymous with hard-core progressivism — often putting them crosswise with Americans, who’ve been turned off by their decades of in-your-face political extremism. But, in a move that proves even the unapologetic leftists aren’t immune from the current crusade for corporate neutrality, “Vermont’s finest” just got a taste of the backlash. Dave Stever hadn’t been on the job long. The latest victim of America’s consumer activists was hired in 2023, a month after Dylan Mulvaney made Bud...

Ben & Jerry’s has said parent firm Unilever has sacked its chief executive amid rows over the ice cream brand’s political activism. The US brand said in a court filing that David Stever, who led the firm for almost two years, was removed from his post early this month. Ben & Jerry’s alleged in a filing to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York that Unilever, the UK-based consumer giant, wanted to stop the boss making political statements.

When culture warriors become literal corporate sell-outs, they shouldn’t be surprised when the laws of economics come and bite them in the ass. There’s a reason ‘go woke go broke’ has become axiomatic. Even institutions as big as Disney and Bud Light have learned they are not too big to feel the sting of a spurned public returning the favor. As for politics, there aren’t many corporate political attention whores louder than Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. Ben & Jerry’s sold their company to Unilever in 2000, with the expectation that they could continue their political grandstanding. It looks like,...

Citing years of discord with its corporate parent, Unilever, over the brand's political stances, particularly concerning Israel, Ben & Jerry's founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield are reportedly exploring the possibility of buying back their iconic ice cream company. Bloomberg reported that the pair have discussed a potential deal, which could involve a multi-billion dollar offer. Cohen and Greenfield originally sold Ben & Jerry's to Unilever, the multinational consumer goods giant, in 2000 for $326 million. However, in recent years, friction has grown between the ice cream maker and its parent company, primarily fueled by Ben & Jerry's outspoken views...

The founders of Ben & Jerry's ice-cream want to buy back their namesake brand from its owners Unilever, according to reports. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have begun initial discussions for a buyback deal, sources told Bloomberg. Bosses at the ice-cream company are in a stand-off with its parent company after Unilever reportedly banned them from criticizing President Trump and his policies. Many companies have rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies or appeared to show deference toward Trump since he began his second White House term. Ben & Jerry's however has had a socially conscious mission since being...

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE MINT DAY Recognized by the US National Confectioners Association, National Chocolate Mint Day is observed annually across the nation on February 19th. This holiday has been set aside for all the chocolate mint lovers to eat their favorite treats all day long. #ChocolateMintDay The Aztecs and Mayans are given much credit for their ways with chocolate. And while chocolate was brought back to Europeans, they were not fond of the dark, bitter bean, so they used more for medicinal purposes. As it was mostly consumed as a hot beverage, Europeans mixed mint, cinnamon and other spices to make...

Social media posts mistakenly identified a law enforcement-themed Las Vegas ice cream truck as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle.

Leftist ice cream company Ben and Jerry's is working to organize a direct action "against fascism" to oppose President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. The "People's March" will take place on January 18 in Washington, DC, as well as other locations across the country. The ice cream shop sent a newsletter encouraging customers to protest and "dissent." "Power to the people! On January 18, we're joining the People's March in Washington, DC (and beyond!) to send an urgent message to the incoming administration: You work for the people, and we're here to hold you accountable," Ben and Jerry's wrote. "Together, we will...

In this episode of "Yawn, So What's New?"... In a predictable leftist move, "Ben & Jerry's" ice cream is hawking a "direct action" ... "against fascism" in opposition to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20. Yeah. And yawn. As reported by the Post Millennial on Thursday, the notoriously radical left-wing company is working to organize participation in a "People's March" on January 18 in Washington, D.C., along with other locations across the fruited plain. The company's latest newsletter encouraged its customers to protest and "dissent" against Trump's soon-to-be presidency. Post Millennial Senior Editor Andy Ngo posted a reminder on...

Before this week, most of the McDonald's ice cream makers could only be fixed through the machine’s manufacturer. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which protects the code embedded in the ice cream machines, made it illegal for third parties, like McDonald’s employees and franchisee owners, to break the digital locks installed by manufacturers. The new rule, which went into effect on Monday, allows outside vendors to fix “retail-level commercial food preparation equipment.” That includes McDonald’s ice cream machines, as 404 media journalist Jason Koebler explained to NPR’s Weekend Edition.

Vanilla ice cream can get a bad rap as the least exciting flavor available on the aisle. But that's an unfair assessment considering that a classic taste shouldn't be confused with a bland one. At least, that's what quality producers of vanilla ice cream prove. In truth, if you've been underwhelmed by a scoop of vanilla, it may be because the brand wasn't delivering all that rich floral flavor that a vanilla bean can bring. Sure, you could make excellent vanilla ice cream at home, but I promise there's still quality brands dedicated to producing a classic cup of supreme...

For many people, an enjoyable summer staple food is a scoop of their favorite ice cream. What they may not know is that this creamy treat often contains refined dietary fibers, such as guar gum, that could have negative effects on intestinal health, according to researchers. Guar gum is a common food additive used for its thickening and stabilizing characteristics in ice cream, processed cheeses, bakery products, salad dressings, beverages and more. However, a recent study discovered that ultra-processed diets containing guar gum showed an increased likelihood of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in an animal model. To determine the...

Cows in California have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and are now in quarantine, according to the state's Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). California hosts a fifth of the nation's dairy cows, and it is the number one producer of milk, butter, and ice cream, and the number two producer of cheese and yogurt in the US. The current infections of HPAI among cattle in the US started in March, when a 'mysterious' illness broke out among dairy cows in Texas...These cows were the first in the world to officially test positive for the bird flu...

Supermodel Tyra Banks just opened her own ice cream store in Washington, D.C., according to Today. Smize & Dream takes its name from a word Banks invented in the course of her time as host of “America’s Next Top Model.” The word “smize” smashes together “smile with your eyes,” which is something she encouraged models to do. Now, Banks is hoping her ice cream will get customers in Washington, including Vice President Kamala Harris, smiling with their eyes as well as their mouth.

Biden appears to board the wrong plane following the awkward ceremony to welcome back released hostages.

President Joe Biden is expected to be among the special guests attending an ice cream social at his Harrisburg area campaign headquarters on Sunday. The event, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Biden-Harris headquarters in Lower Paxton Township, is by invitation only. It will be Biden’s first visit to the region since Labor Day 2020 when he stopped by the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO office in downtown Harrisburg. Biden was scheduled to speak before the National Education Association in Philadelphia on Sunday, but the campaign cancelled those plans following the National Education Association Staff Organization’s Friday announcement it was going on...

WI - A Florida woman was arrested after allegedly robbing a Platteville ice cream shop Thursday afternoon. The Platteville Police Department identified 45-year-old Bereta Alesandru of Spring Hill, Florida as the woman who allegedly robbed 3 Marias Ice Cream Shop in Platteville. According to the complaint, an employee in the shop referred to as Victim 1 said Alesandru walked into the store and said she needed $80 for gas. Victim 1 told police Alesandru allegedly offered air pods in exchange for the $80. According to the complaint, Alesandru was opening her purse to show the air pods and Victim 1...

MichaelRapaport @MichaelRapaport I’m officially un-endorsing #JoeBiden I did so much work on behalf of this soft serve ice cream eating MF, I’m done. #Unendorsed

In an effort to address a barrage of noise complaints, Milan is preparing to ban late-night snacks. This war on ice cream isn’t new, and does not sit well with many... The Italian city of Milan is proposing a new law to ban ice cream after midnight, in an effort to protect the "peace and health" of residents. A legislative starting paper has been filed by the city's local government. If passed, the new law could come into effect next month and last until November – something which local vendors will not be best pleased about, considering they are accustomed...