Ben & Jerrys : Fairtrade

In 2006, we launched the world's first ever Fairtrade vanilla ice cream. Four years on, three more of our flavours have achieved Fairtrade status (Chunky Monkey, Chocolate Macadamia and Vanilla Toffee Crunch). Six more will be certified in 2010 and by the end of 2011, every ingredient in every ice cream we make that can be Fairtrade certified, will be.

We're happy to pay more for these ingredients because it enables farmers to take positive steps towards providing basic needs for their families and communities, such as healthcare, education and safe housing.

‘Fairtrade is about making sure people get their fair share of the pie. The whole concept of fair-trade goes to the heart of our values and the sense of right and wrong. Nobody wants to buy something that was made by exploiting somebody else.’ - Jerry Greenfield

That's why we've embarked on a long-term partnership with the Fairtrade Foundation. Our conversion will involve six different Fairtrade Co-ops around the world, with more than 22,000 members. It's complicated: these farmers will be producing ingredients that go into 42 different chunks, swirls and ice cream flavours. We've had to treble the world supply of Fairtrade almonds. In fact, this will be the biggest conversion into Fairtrade products the world has ever seen. But we know it's worth it.

- While we’re not Dr Doolittle and haven’t heard it from the hen’s beak, so to speak, we think hens are happier with space to roam.