Ben & Jerry's Phish Food

Ben & Jerry's was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, USA, by childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. The brand quickly became famous for its unique chunky flavors and social activism. The specific 'Phish Food' flavor was launched in 1997 in collaboration with the American rock band Phish, with a portion of the royalties supporting environmental efforts in the Lake Champlain area.

While the brand originated in a renovated gas station in Vermont, it was acquired by the multinational conglomerate Unilever in 2000. Under Unilever's ownership, Ben & Jerry's maintains a unique independent Board of Directors to preserve its social mission and brand integrity.

Manufacturing takes place in several locations globally. In the United States, production is centered in Vermont (Waterbury and St. Albans), while products sold in Europe, including Denmark, are typically manufactured in Hellendoorn, the Netherlands. Unilever announced plans in early 2024 to spin off its ice cream division into a separate entity by late 2025, a process expected to conclude in 2026.