Causes Ben & Jerry's has advocated for over the years with their corporate social responsibility | Ben & Jerry’s (2024)

FAQs

What have Ben and Jerry's done to be socially responsible? ›

Here are some of the socially responsible business practices of Ben & Jerry's: Fair trade sourcing: Ben & Jerry's sources many of its ingredients from Fairtrade certified suppliers, which ensures that farmers receive fair compensation for their products and that workers are treated ethically.

Guided by our Core Values, we seek in all we do, at every level of our business, to advance human rights and dignity, support social and economic justice for historically marginalized communities, and protect and restore the Earth's natural systems. In other words: we use ice cream to change the world.

Ben & Jerry's Joins the B Corp Movement!

B Corps are a new type of corporation that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. In 1988, Ben & Jerry's was one of the first companies in the world to place a social mission in equal importance to its product and economic missions.

From 2013-2021, Ben & Jerry's was targeted by campaign group Vermonters for Justice in Palestine (VTPJ) who called for a boycott of the company. The campaigners called for Ben & Jerry's to stop selling its ice cream in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land, and stop selling in Israel altogether.

That allowed the ice-cream brand to have an independent board that retained decision-making about its social mission. Under the deal, Ben & Jerry's owner can't fire its independent board.

How ethical is Ben & Jerry's? Ben & Jerry's is an Ice Cream brand which has a below-benchmark score on The Good Shopping Guide's Ethical Ice Cream Ratings Table. Although Ben & Jerry's has not yet met our ethical benchmark, we hope to see the brand make progress in the future.

Ben & Jerry's – A Brief History

The original scoop shop quickly became a community favourite, thanks primarily to its rich and creative ice cream flavours.

Our Product Mission drives us to make fantastic ice cream – for its own sake. To make, distribute and sell the finest quality ice cream and euphoric concoctions with a continued commitment to incorporating wholesome, natural ingredients and promoting business practices that respect the Earth and the Environment.

Their business model shows their commitment to generate a solid 'triple bottom line' and considers all three pillars of corporate sustainability: people, planet and profit, balancing economic success with social and environmental responsibility. Ben & Jerry's owns this approach and made it theirs.

In 2021, we transitioned to a paper wrapper on our Peace Pops, avoiding 18 tons of plastic per year. In 2021, our US-based Scoop Shops transitioned from our former ice cream cups, drink cups, and lids to plant-based and industrial compostable packaging. We're still working on solutions for Scoop Shops worldwide.

How does Ben and Jerry's promote themselves? ›

In addition to social media teasers, Ben and Jerry's also partners with other brands and organizations for special collaborations. These collaborations not only create a buzz but also tap into the existing fan base of the partner brand, expanding their reach and introducing their ice cream to new audiences.

On Instagram, the brand creates its posts around two main concept pillars: social activism and product promotion. Being a company that's values-led, Ben & Jerry's openly addresses different social problems driven by the desire to make the world a better place, as this roots in the founders' DNA.

In 2009, the company contributed over $2 million to the Foundation. Ben & Jerry's also strives to use environmentally and socially responsible ingredients and materials in their products. The company currently uses fair trade vanilla, cocoa, and coffee, and plans to have all fair-trade ingredients by 2013.

Our national grant program supports grassroots organizations & movements throughout the U.S. working to change unjust, underlying conditions in order to bring about a more equitable society.

It is widely believed that corporate law forced Ben & Jerry's directors to accept Unilever's rich offer and sell the company.

Divest fully from the fossil fuel industry. Stop deforestation of old growth tropical forests. Ensure support for developing countries' mitigation and adaptation. Adopt regenerative practices that turn agriculture from a source of greenhouse gas emissions to a carbon sink.

The Ben & Jerry's Foundation is a Social Justice Organization. We support grassroots organizations working in their communities to achieve social and environmental justice and by doing so help create a better future for all.

“We believe that ice cream can change the world,” according to Ben & Jerry's website. “We have a progressive, nonpartisan social mission that seeks to meet human needs and eliminate injustices in our local, national, and international communities by integrating these concerns in our day-to-day business activities.”

In 2021, we transitioned to a paper wrapper on our Peace Pops, avoiding 18 tons of plastic per year. In 2021, our US-based Scoop Shops transitioned from our former ice cream cups, drink cups, and lids to plant-based and industrial compostable packaging. We're still working on solutions for Scoop Shops worldwide.