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2. A Letter from our CEO
In 2008, we celebrated our thirtieth birthday at Ben & Jerry’s. As part of the celebration, we put together an online scrapbook that captures some of the memorable moments in the company’s past. Scattered throughout are mentions of the company’s Social Mission partnerships and initiatives. As I flipped through the pages, it struck me how varied our Company’s activities and partnerships have been over three decades. We’ve opposed rBGH, the artificial hormone given to cows; we’ve championed government funding for children’s health care and education; we’ve opposed the U.S. entry into the first Gulf War. It’s not an accident that we’ve been involved in so many different issues with so many different partners and allies. We have always tried to take a holistic approach to living out our Company’s Social Mission, believing that in the end, all things are indeed connected. So, we know that buying some of our ingredients from small farmers also has environmental benefits; supporting diversity in our workplace actually leads to a stronger team and financial success; and there are many more examples throughout our business. But we also admit that sometimes we have stretched ourselves too thin. And today as we embrace our new identity as a global Company, we recognize that we must become more focused and strategic in order to achieve our Social Mission. This is the insight that led us to convene our first-ever global Social Mission Summit in October of 2008 when Company leaders responsible for all parts of our business met and identified global priorities. We believe that these long-term goals are in line with our history and core values – and are also relevant to the Company we are today:
We believe that by working diligently to achieve results against these three priorities, we will also make gains to satisfy a fourth priority, which transcends all the others, and that’s to give equal attention to all three parts of our Mission Statement – Product, Economic, and Social – and keep them in balance with each other. These goals are, in a sense, not new for us. Indeed, many of our proudest accomplishments in 2008 were squarely aligned with these goals for the future, including:
And that’s just the beginning. I hope you’ll take the time to read about some of our other highlights from 2008 in the full report that follows this letter. I am invigorated by the goals we’ve set for ourselves. We’ve always believed that our Mission Statement is both a statement about how our business should operate – and a recipe for success that says simply, the way our Company will succeed financially is through long-term investment in making great ice cream and in making a positive social impact. Most of all, I offer my thanks to the people of Ben & Jerry’s, past and present, who have given so much of themselves to keep us moving forward on this inspired mission. Peace, Love & Ice Cream Walt Freese
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We’ve been a pioneer in managing our environmental impacts, from using unbleached paperboard in our pint packaging to using composting, methane digesters, and even pigs to handle our wastes. We’ve sought out unique suppliers who have a social mission that aligns with ours, such as Greyston Bakery and Fair Trade cooperatives. We’ve also played a key role in founding socially responsible business networks, such as Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility; 1% for Peace; Business for Social Responsibility; and the Social Venture Network. Please click the button below to install. It should only take a few seconds.
