About

Ben & Jerry's is an American ice cream company and manufacturer known for decadent and original flavors with humorous names.

History

Ben & Jerry's was founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield on May 5th, 1978.^[1]

Political Positions

Pecan Resist

On October 30th, 2018, the ice cream company Ben & Jerry's announced the release of a "limited batch" flavor named "Pecan Resist" in posts published on YouTube, Facebook^[10] and Twitter.^[9]

That day, Twitter user @TheMichaelRock^[11] tweeted a photoshopped version of the ice cream container with NPC Wojak characters and the label REEEEE

Support for Expunging Cannabis Convictions

On April 20th, 2019, the official Ben & Jerry's Twitter account tweeted a video detailing their support for the expunging of records for those who have been convicted of marijuana-related crimes, particularly for people of color. They wrote, "It’s hard to celebrate 4/20 when so many people of color are still being arrested for pot. We have to do better." Within three days, the post received more than 100,000 retweets, 300,000 likes and 7 million views (shown below).

It’s hard to celebrate 4/20 when so many people of color are still being arrested for pot. We have to do better. Learn more: https://t.co/DPCcqND0SI pic.twitter.com/fLsngGteOF

— Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) April 20, 2019

Some supported the post. Twitter^[5] user @MichelleHux shared the post, writing "GET IN THEY ASS BENJAMIN AND JERRETH." The ost recievd more than 96,000 retweets and 260,000 likes in three days (shown below, left). Twitter^[6] user @Mady56957012 tweeted an image of two women hugging with the subtitle "You're the only brand in the house that I ever respected." The post received more than 240 retweets and 6,000 likes in three days (shown below, center).

However, some conservatives on the platform were offended by the post. Political commentator Mark Dice tweeted,^[7] "Poor stoners can't even celebrate 420 without having 'white privilege' shoved down their throat by the lunatic left." Within three days, the post received more than 320 retweets and 4,000 likes (shown below, right).

The following day, Redditor ^[8] Horror_Mango posted about the video on the /r/news subreddit. The post received more than 38,000 points (90% upvoted) and 1,200 comments in two days.

Fandom

On January 13th, 2019, Ben & Jerry's launched a Twitter ^[3] account

On January 13th, 2012, the company launched a Facebook ^[2] page. Within a decade, the page had more than 8 million likes and followers.

Highlights

Celebrity Flavors

Numerous celebrities and cultural figures have Ben & Jerry's flavors named after them. These include Willie Nelson’s Country Peach Cobbler, Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road, Will Ferrell's Scotchy Scotch Scotch, Jimmy Fallon's Late Night Snack, Stephen Colbert's, Bernie Sanders' Bernie's Yearning, President Barack Obama's Yes Pecan and more.^[4]

Search Interest

External References