Comments on: Giving Thanks Part 1: Ben & Jerry’s

By: Denisse

Denisse — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:54:50 +0000

Thanks, Kirsten, for this grateful toast to Ben & Jerry!

My favorite Ben & Jerry’s moment?

Delving into federal budget reform by way of the oreo cookie….It went something like this: “What if we placed one, just one, of these cookies from this [huge, 20-25 cookies strong, military budget] pile, and place it on this [a mere 3-5 cookies tall, education budget] pile?”

see for yourself (cookies enter in at 00:43):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9kXPTwIO08

thankful for the genius of simplicity,
Denisse

By: Tex Dworkin

Tex Dworkin — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:52:28 +0000

Ray,
Thanks for sharing those kind words. I’m such a fan of theirs too. Have been for so many years. Before socially responsible business was a term people coined, they were doing it.

Keep up the great work yourself! And an eye out for other people we’re thanking in this series:)

By: Ray Beckerman

Ray Beckerman — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:10:20 +0000

I am so grateful that you selected Ben and Jerry for this honor. No one deserves it more.

Many years ago I learned of a guy who had come up with a new way of thinking: if economics was killing the rainforests, and altruism wasn’t strong enough to overcome economics, maybe he could come up with a way to use economics to save the rainforests. He reasoned that some products — like lumber — called for the cutting down of the forests, while other products — like rainforest fruits and nuts — required the preservation of the rainforests.

So he went on a mission, ‘beating the bushes’ as it were, trying to find customers to buy the sustainable rainforest fruits and nuts.

He happened upon Ben and Jerry, who immediately appreciated the great thing this guy was doing, and became his FIRST customers, placing huge orders, and making his dream a reality.

They are true unselfish visionaries in so many ways.

I join you in celebrating their good work.

They are good guys.