The story of Ben & Jerry's, the ice cream company known for its delicious flavors and commitment to social and environmental causes, is not only about frozen treats but also about the deep connections its founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, share with Long Island. Beyond the creamy scoops and imaginative flavors, their journey began with friendship, innovation, and a shared love for community engagement. We delve into the roots of Ben & Jerry's founders on Long Island and how their experiences shaped the iconic brand.

 

Growing Up on Long Island

 

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield both spent their early years growing up on Long Island. Ben was born in Brooklyn and raised in Merrick. Jerry, on the other hand, was born in Brooklyn and raised in Hewlett. Their upbringing on the island set the stage for their lifelong friendship and eventual partnership.

 

Connection Through Shared Values

 

Cohen and Greenfield's friendship began during their high school years when they both attended Calhoun High School in Merrick. Their bond deepened due to their shared passion for food, a sense of humor, and a mutual interest in making a positive impact on their community. These shared values would later become fundamental pillars of their ice cream business.

 

From Scoops to Success

 

After high school, the duo embarked on separate paths for a while, but their entrepreneurial spirits eventually brought them back together. In 1978, with a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making from Penn State University and a $12,000 investment, they opened their first ice cream parlor in Burlington, Vermont. The business grew rapidly due to their innovative flavors, high-quality ingredients, and commitment to social causes.

 

Photo: Ben & Jerry's Facebook page.

 

Translating Long Island's Community Spirit

 

One of the key elements that distinguished Ben & Jerry's was their dedication to community engagement, a trait they likely inherited from their experiences on Long Island. This commitment to community was reflected in their business practices, as they actively sought to engage with their customers and contribute to local causes.

 

Social Responsibility and Activism

 

Ben & Jerry's became renowned not only for their delectable ice creams but also for their outspoken advocacy on social and environmental issues. The company embraced the concept of "caring capitalism," focusing on creating a positive impact on society while running a successful business.

The story of Ben & Jerry's is a testament to the power of friendship, shared values, and the influence of one's upbringing. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield's connection to Long Island played a significant role in shaping their approach to business and community engagement.

 

Their journey from Long Island to founding one of the world's most beloved ice cream companies demonstrates the impact that a strong sense of community, shared values, and social responsibility can have on the world.

 

As Long Island continues to foster a diverse and vibrant community spirit, the legacy of Ben & Jerry's founders serves as an inspiration for future entrepreneurs and changemakers.

 

Photo: Ben & Jerry's Facebook page.

 

Here's a list of interesting facts about Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream:

 

• Founding Duo: Ben & Jerry's was founded by childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in 1978.
• $5 Course: Ben Cohen took a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making from Penn State University, which helped them kickstart their ice cream business.
• First Scoop Shop: Their first ice cream shop was located in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont.
• Flavor Origins: Their first original flavors included favorites like "Chocolate Fudge Brownie" and "Chunky Monkey."
• Chunk Philosophy: Ben & Jerry's is known for its "chunky" ice cream philosophy, which emphasizes large chunks of ingredients like chocolate, nuts, cookies, and fruit in their creations.
• Social Mission: The company is famous for its three-part mission, which focuses on producing high-quality ice cream, promoting economic and social justice, and minimizing their environmental impact.
• Creative Titles: Many of their flavors have playful and creative names, such as "Phish Food," "Cherry Garcia," and "Half Baked."
• Non-GMO Ingredients: Ben & Jerry's was one of the first major ice cream brands to commit to using only non-genetically modified (GMO) ingredients.
• Global Impact: Ben & Jerry's is sold in over 35 countries around the world, and it has become a global phenomenon.
• Ownership Changes: In 2000, Ben & Jerry's was acquired by Unilever, but the brand maintained its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
• Fair Trade Ingredients: The company has been a proponent of using fair trade ingredients, like cocoa, sugar, and coffee, to support small-scale farmers and ensure ethical sourcing.
• Climate Justice: Ben & Jerry's has been actively engaged in advocating for climate justice and has set ambitious goals to reduce its carbon footprint.
• Flavor Graveyard: The company has retired some flavors over the years, and they have a "Flavor Graveyard" on their website that pays homage to these discontinued creations.
• Global Warming Swirl: In 2005, Ben & Jerry's introduced a flavor called "Fossil Fuel," which featured a swirl of chocolate and marshmallow with a "gash" of caramel, symbolizing the effects of fossil fuel consumption.
• Activism: The company has a history of speaking out on social and political issues, using its platform to advocate for change and support various causes.
• Renewable Energy: Ben & Jerry's has made commitments to using renewable energy sources and has aimed to power its manufacturing facilities with clean energy.
• Free Cone Day: Since 1979, Ben & Jerry's has held an annual "Free Cone Day" as a way to thank their customers for their support.
• Empower Mint: The "Empower Mint" flavor was introduced in 2016 in partnership with the North Carolina NAACP to promote voting rights.
• Dough-ble Feature: The iconic "Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough" flavor was born when a fan wrote a letter suggesting that the cookie dough chunks could be mixed into their ice cream. It is the world's first chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, created in 1984 at the Ben & Jerry's scoop shop in Burlington, Vermont.