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Investing.com -- Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield on Wednesday announced his resignation from the ice cream company he started in 1978, citing concerns about the loss of independence to pursue the company’s social values under Unilever PLC (LON:ULVR) ownership.
In a letter addressed to the Ben & Jerry’s community, Greenfield described the decision as "one of the hardest and most painful" he has ever made after 47 years with the company.
Greenfield explained that when Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s, a unique merger agreement was negotiated that "enshrined our social mission and values in the company’s governance structure in perpetuity." He expressed disappointment that this independence has now disappeared.
The co-founder stated that the company has been "silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power" at a time when he believes standing up for values of justice and equity is crucial.
"From the very beginning, Ben and I believed that our values and the pursuit of justice were more important than the company itself," Greenfield wrote, adding that the company was "always about more than just ice cream."
Greenfield affirmed his commitment to carrying these values forward outside the company "with all the love and conviction I can" since he believes it’s no longer possible to do so within Ben & Jerry’s.
The resignation comes as Greenfield expressed concerns about attacks on civil rights, voting rights, and the rights of immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community by the current administration.