The founders of Ben & Jerry’s, Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen, always seem to have one hand on an ice cream scoop and the other dipped in political cause.
This week, the duo continued their support of the Occupy movement, stopping by McPherson Square to dole out some of their product (Cherry Garcia, chocolate fudge brownie, strawberry cheesecake and cookies and cream were the flavors, in case you were curious). “We are interested in supporting their work,” Greenfield told Yeas & Nays. “We think that the Occupy movement is really bringing social activists and concerned citizens together to help fight corporate greed and the corporate influence in our country.”
Greenfield will return to the District next week to talk business, and probably some politics too, at an event sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. “I think people are very interested in the idea of having business be operating not simply it its own self interest,” Greenfield said, explaining why people might want to hear what he has to say.
Greenfield said that he considers the Vermont-based ice cream company to be “nonpartisan,” though it usually aligns itself with progressive causes. “I would say that not everybody agrees with the political stands that Ben & Jerry takes a position on, but I think that’s ok,” Greenfield said. “That’s the territory you go in when you have a company that’s based on values and stands for something more than just making as much money as you can.”
“The Network Event: Featuring Jerry Greenfield” will take place Nov. 16, with cocktail hour beginning at 6:30, at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park. Tickets are $125 plus a donation and can be purchased online.
