Unilever threatens to pull funding for Ben & Jerry's Foundation as progressive battle escalates: report
Unilever has threatened to pull funding for the Ben & Jerry's Foundation – escalating its battle to muzzle the left-leaning ice cream brand's progressive activism, according to a report.
The company has demanded Ben & Jerry's Foundation submit to an expedited audit of its donations to continue receiving funding, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Unilever, which is based in London, gives approximately $5 million to the foundation each year, based on a formula of the ice cream company's sales and inflation, sources told Reuters.
3 Unilever has threatened to pull funding for the Ben & Jerry's Foundation, according to a report.
REUTERS
Ben & Jerry's and Unilever did not immediately respond to The Post's requests for comment.
Ben & Jerry's Foundation donates to social justice grassroots organizations in the US, with an emphasis on groups in Vermont, where Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield founded the ice cream brand.
It has supported the Human Rights Coalition, a prison reform group led by formerly incarcerated individuals; Felony Murder Elimination Project, which protests a California rule that allows the death penalty for felons who did not commit a murder; and Adelante Student Voices, a network for undocumented students.
The company's threat to yank funding is retaliation for a lawsuit filed in November, when Ben & Jerry's accused Unilever of attempting to silence its pro-Palestinian messaging, the sources said.
Ben & Jerry's has protested the war in Gaza and called for police departments to be defunded.
The ice cream company – known for funky flavors like Phish Food, Half Baked and Chunky Monkey – has also accused Unilever of preventing it from speaking out against President Trump.
3 Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen, co-founders of Ben & Jerry's, serving free ice cream during a Scoop The Vote event.
Getty Images for MoveOn
Cohen, who co-founded Ben & Jerry's in 1978, earlier this month revealed he's trying to gather a group of investors to buy back the brand, as Unilever prepares to spin off the company and the rest of its ice cream businesses. He pleaded with Unilever to 'set us free.'
Tensions have been bubbling up for months as the parent company tried to silence its unruly ice cream brand.
In March, Ben & Jerry's claimed Unilever fired chief executive David Stever – who started as a tour guide for the ice cream brand's Waterbury factory – over the company's anti-Trump political activism.
3 Ben & Jerry's claimed Unilever fired its longtime chief executive.
Getty Images
Ben & Jerry's said the firing violated its 2000 merger agreement with the London firm.
Unilever, however, argued it has the authority to appoint a new chief executive, and that the decision would only be made after speaking with the board.
It's unclear whether Stever is still with the company.
With Post wires
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- UPI
8 hurt in attack targeting Boulder event supporting Israeli hostages
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Senator Michael Bennet, a Colorado Democrat, leaves the U.S. Capitol on July 11, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Michael Ciaglo/Tierney L. Cross/Getty Images What Political Leaders Are Saying Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, wrote on X: "I am closely monitoring the situation in Boulder, and my thoughts go out to the people who have been injured and impacted by this heinous act of terror. Hate-filled acts of any kind are unacceptable. While details emerge, the state works with local and federal law enforcement to support this investigation. More information will be provided as it becomes available." Senator John Hickenlooper, a Colorado Democrat, on X: "Hate of any kind has no home in Colorado. We're monitoring the reports of a horrific terror attack in Boulder this afternoon. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones." Representative Gabe Evans, a Colorado Republican, on X: "My team is monitoring the attack of terror just outside our district in Boulder. Hate has no home in Colorado. We are praying for all those affected. Thank you law enforcement for quickly responding to the scene. Please follow their updates as more information is released." Representative Joe Neguse, a Colorado Democrat, on X: "We are closely monitoring, and are in contact with local law enforcement regarding the horrific attack on Pearl Street Mall. Praying hard for the victims." Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on X: "Our hearts are with Boulder as we mourn the innocent victims of senseless violence. Denver Police Department is in contact with Boulder PD to provide any support they need. Hate has no place in Colorado." What Happens Next Authorities have yet to release more details about the victims and the suspect taken into custody. An alleged motive for the attack will likely be determined and announced by law enforcement later today or tomorrow.
