The famed ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s began posting videos and announcements supporting social justice, environmental and other causes in the days surrounding the inauguration, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the Palisades fires. 

I first noticed this when I saw their “Flavors We Could Lose To Climate Change” video on TikTok. In this video, they detail the potential impacts of global warming & climate change on the sourcing of key ice cream ingredients, meaning that producing these crowd-favorites would become significantly more difficult. They specifically call out impacts on the growth of cocoa, nuts, vanilla, and coffee. The video ends aiming to rally viewers in support of sustainable energy and farming practices.

Ben & Jerry’s holds true to its values just as much as to its taste.

On their Instagram page, there are video clips from the People’s Marches happening across the country in response to the recent turnover of the government. In one video, Ben & Jerry’s state their values and speak to the key concepts of democratic society. In another, they show off creative and clever signs seen at the People’s March in Washington, DC.

Posts from one week ago amplify the values and beliefs spoken by Martin Luther King Jr. Designed in traditional Ben & Jerry’s colors and fonts, these posts feature famous quotes by MLK.

Ben & Jerry’s has also long been vocal that “big money is ruling our criminal justice system,” calling attention to exploitative practices such as the underpayment of incarcerated individuals currently fighting the LA fires. On their website, they have an entire article detailing the issue with the “Criminal (In)justice” system, informing readers of statistics, prison living conditions, and political history surrounding the problem. In a post regarding the LA fire, they encourage viewers to visit End the Exception website to learn more and take action surrounding this issue.

Finally, in a personal post on X, Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen announced a meme contest “highlighting the biggest gov’t spender + waster.” Sarcastically voicing his ‘support’ for Elon Musk, Cohen disapprovingly spoke about the Pentagon’s budget and military operations within the U.S. government.

On the official Ben & Jerry’s website, you’ll find a page titled “Issues We Care About,” which include racial justice, climate justice and campaign finance reform. Another page on their website lists their company values and mission, all of which aim to combine the production of delicious and high-quality ice cream while honoring democracy, equal rights and sustainable environmental practices. Going above and beyond what’s expected of your typical large ice cream company, Ben & Jerry’s has a foundation which supports “grassroots organizations working in their communities to achieve social and environmental justice.” Being a Vermont-born company, they offer grants for their state specifically, but also all over the country as well. 

Looking at Ben & Jerry’s, we are reminded how our everyday choices can have an effect on the world we live in. By choosing to support certain businesses, customers are ultimately making the decision of which corporations and individuals will prosper and continue to bring their values into the world.

A version of this article appeared on p. 10 of the January 30th, 2024 print edition of the Daily Nexus.