In fact, last year a change.org petition calling for Ben & Jerry’s to create non-dairy ice cream received over 28,000 signatures. The original creators of the petition were encouraging the move as an action against climate change, noting Ben & Jerry’s potential influence over the ice cream industry, and conventional animal agriculture as the largest contributor to global warming.
Ben & Jerry’s is already considered by many a socially progressive and responsible company, with a three part mission statement that includes a “social mission” to help make the world a better place. The company also has fair trade standards, an ongoing effort to reduce their carbon footprint, and a meaningful purchasing strategy that includes cage-free eggs and more sustainable dairy producers.
Whether the new line was to appease customers looking to avoid non-dairy, or to make a statement and encourage action against climate change, it’s not the first time the company has shown a commitment to environmental progress. In May 2015, they released an ice cream flavor called “Save Our Swirled”, in order to bring attention to the issue of climate change leading up to the United Nations conference on climate change that occurred in Paris, France at the end of last year.
All in all, the new non-dairy line from Ben & Jerry’s shows yet another way in which some food companies are shifting to meet consumer demand. The takeaway being that consumer voices can be heard, even by large food industry players, and what matters is how consumers will continue to use their power moving forward.
