Jerry Greenfield

Jerry Greenfield Biography

Jerry Greenfield is a renowned American businessman, philanthropist, and activist best known for co-founding the iconic ice cream company Ben & Jerry's. His journey from a pre-med student to a successful entrepreneur and social advocate highlights his passion, creativity, and commitment to ethical business practices.

Childhood

Jerry Greenfield was born on March 14, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up on Long Island in a family with Jewish roots. During his childhood, he attended Merrick Avenue Junior High School where he met Ben Cohen, his future business partner and lifelong friend. Greenfield's early environment instilled in him a strong work ethic and curiosity that would shape his future endeavors.

Education

Jerry Greenfield pursued a pre-med curriculum at Oberlin College. While at Oberlin, he worked as an ice cream scooper in the college cafeteria, which was an early exposure to the ice cream business. Despite his passion for science, he was unsuccessful in gaining admission to medical school. This setback led him to explore alternative career paths, eventually steering him toward entrepreneurship with Ben Cohen.

Career

In 1977, after a five-dollar correspondence course in ice-cream making from Penn State, Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen opened the first Ben & Jerry's ice cream store in a converted gas station in Burlington, Vermont. The company quickly gained popularity for its unique flavors like Chunky Monkey and Cherry Garcia. Over the years, Ben & Jerry's expanded into a global brand, renowned not only for its creative ice creams but also for its commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. Jerry initially made all the ice cream and later managed various aspects of the company including distribution and employee motivation.

Family Life

Jerry Greenfield is married to Elizabeth Skarie, who pursued a Ph.D. in psychology. During the 1980s, Jerry temporarily stepped back from the business to support Elizabeth's academic pursuits in Arizona. The couple later returned to Vermont, where Jerry resumed an active role in Ben & Jerry's operations. They have maintained a private family life while supporting various philanthropic activities.

Achievements

Jerry Greenfield, together with Ben Cohen, developed one of the most beloved ice cream brands worldwide. Ben & Jerry's pioneered a socially responsible business model, donating significant portions of pre-tax profits to nonprofit organizations through the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation. They received the U.S. Small Business Persons of the Year Award in 1988 and other recognitions for their ethical business practices and community contributions.

Controversies

While Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen are generally celebrated for their positive social impact and business ethics, the sale of Ben & Jerry's to Unilever in 2000 stirred debate among fans and activists about preserving the company’s founding values. The transition raised concerns about maintaining the balance between profit and social responsibility that defined the brand’s early years.

Jerry Greenfield Summary

Jerry Greenfield’s life is an inspiring story of creativity, resilience, and social commitment. From his humble beginnings in Brooklyn and Long Island to co-founding Ben & Jerry’s, he has influenced the ice cream industry and business ethics profoundly. Through innovative products and a dedication to social causes, Greenfield has left a lasting legacy as both an entrepreneur and philanthropist.