Ben & Jerry's

When Ben Cohen & Jerry Greenfield met in gym class in 1963, they realised that they hated running, but loved food!

A fun-loving reputation

They also agreed that it was no fun being in business just to earn a living – they wanted to enjoy themselves too. So they turned to ice cream making. Their recipe was a sophisticated concoction: a blend of fresh Vermont milk, cream and generous portions of, well, whatever ingredients took their fancy on any given day.

With flavour names like Phish Food and Karamel Sutra, Ben & Jerry’s has built a reputation over the years as a fun-loving company with a unique and creative approach to business.

In February 2010, Ben & Jerry’s announced its commitment to go fully Fairtrade across its entire global flavour portfolio. From Americone Dream to Chocolate Fudge Brownie, all of the flavours in all of the countries where Ben & Jerry’s is sold will be converted to Fairtrade-certified ingredients by the end of 2013.

How it all started

In 1977 Ben and Jerry enrolled in a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making and the following year they started their Ben & Jerry’s business in a renovated gas station.
By 1982 the duo had moved the shop to new premises and by 1986, Ben & Jerry’s opened their new plant in Waterbury, Vermont. By the end of 1988, there were more than 80 Ben & Jerry’s ice cream scoop shops in 18 American states.
In 1994, Ben & Jerry’s began distribution of ice cream in the UK in 1994, in Ireland in 2000 and soon afterwards Europe.
The company was acquired by Unilever in 2000 – offering lovers of Ben & Jerry’s even more choice in more places! This collaboration also led to the launch of projects such as an agriculture program in Hellendorn, Holland – aimed at developing criteria for sustainable dairy farming practices.

Did you know?

In 1983, Ben & Jerry’s made the world’s largest ice cream sundae – weighing in at 27 102 pounds.
Ben & Jerry’s celebrates ‘Free Cone Day’ each year, to mark the anniversary of the first scoop shop opening in 1978. Free scoops of ice cream are dished up at scoop shops and other outlets around the UK & Ireland with all donations going to local charities.
Ben and Jerry’s is 'Climate Neutral, from Cow to Tub!
Ben & Jerry’s was the first ice cream company in the world to use Fairtrade-certified ingredients starting in 2005.
Ben & Jerry’s global commitment to turning Fairtrade involvesconverting up to 121 different chunks and swirls, working across eleven different ingredients such as cocoa, banana, vanilla and other flavourings, fruits and nuts. It also means working with Fairtrade Co-ops that total a combined membership of over 24,000 farmers– we think that’s pretty cool!