Ice Cream Social: The Struggle for the Soul of Ben & Jerry's

Ice Cream Social tells the story of Ben & Jerry's and its acquisition by Unilever, drawing on interviews with insiders. The company has maintained a three-part mission: producing high-quality ice cream, supporting progressive causes, and sharing success with all stakeholders including employees, suppliers, distributors, customers, and cows. However, this mission has presented ongoing challenges. This book provides the first comprehensive account of Ben & Jerry's rise, mistakes, decline, recovery, and renewal as a mission-driven company. It examines how the company navigated the tension between its values and business realities, and explains the circumstances leading to its sale to Unilever and how that relationship developed to enable the company to pursue its mission at a larger scale. Journalist Brad Edmondson based the narrative on interviews with dozens of key figures, including Jeff Furman, who helped write the original business plan in 1978 and became chairman in 2010. The account covers dramatic moments and memorable characters throughout the company's history.