Ben and Jerry’s, a best-selling ice cream brand, has been fueled by the political instability in America to engage in activism. This post shares what B&J are doing to raise awareness for the challenges we are facing, from the loss of women’s rights to the climate crisis.
“We love making ice cream – but using our business to make the world a better place gives our work its meaning”
This is what we are asking businesses to do, we don’t expect them to give up their earnings, we’re asking them to respect everyone and everything along the way. For the dessert brand, this means using thoughtful ingredients and sharing the success to make a difference.
Let’s dive into their product sourcing, which has five core aspects to achieve justice among suppliers. The first is supplier diversity. Year after year, the amount of money spent on suppliers increases, as does the percentage spent on black-owned or black-led suppliers. Second, B&J look to work with partners who support social enterprises. This includes Rhino Foods, who specialise in making cookie dough. Not only are they a B-corp, but they have a focus on hiring refugees. Next, they work with Fair Trade to establish farmer-led labour standards. Finally, this best-selling ice cream producer engages in regenerative agriculture to maintain healthy ecosystems, from trees to cows, they consider it all. This is a great segway into how Ben and Jerry’s monitors their environmental impact. Unlike most global companies, B&J know their carbon footprint. However, this isn’t something to be praised for, it’s what they do with this knowledge that holds the value. Unsurprisingly, they take action to reduce it, through innovations like productive waste or green freezers. The productive waste largely focuses on cow manure, which is put into digesters with other farm waste and used to power such farms. A perfect example of regeneration. Finally, the cardboard packaging your ice cream is packaged in is Forest Stewardship Certified, indicating it is responsibly sourced.
The engagement doesn’t stop there, Ben and Jerry’s mission is to eliminate injustices by integrating concerns into day-to-day business. Their focuses include Racial Justice, Fair Trade, Rights and Dignity of Refugees, Democracy, Campaign Finance Reform, LGBTQ+ rights, Non-GMO Standards, Climate Impact, and Climate Justice. One of the most recent campaigns has focused on women’s abortion rights and reproductive justice in the U.S. since the overturn of Roe v Wade. Finally, Ben and Jerry’s has a foundation dedicated to supporting social justice, providing grants to U.S. grassroots movements.
It is fair to say that Ben and Jerry’s is taking it’s fair share of responsibility to help overcome and reverse some of the biggest challenges the world is facing. It’s impossible for one company to address all these problems effectively, that’s why more business need to take action.
Who knew eating ice cream could make such a difference!
Not My Monkey 