For Immediate Release
5:15 PM EDT, July 17, 1997

Contact:
Frances Rathke, Chief Financial Officer
(802) 651-9600 Ext. 7500

BEN&JERRY'S HOMEMADE, INC., ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT -- July 17, 1997 -- Ben&Jerry's Homemade, Inc., (NASDAQ Symbol: BJICA) today reported financial results for the Company's second quarter of 1997.

Net sales for the quarter ended June 28, 1997 increased by 6% to $50,701,000 compared to $48,043,000 for the same period in 1996. Net income for the quarter totaled $1,741,000, a decrease of 10% from the 1996 second quarter earnings of $1,943,000. Net income per common share was $0.24 in the second quarter of 1997 compared to $0.27 in the second quarter of 1996.

Net sales for the first six months of 1997 increased by 1% to $86,849,000, compared to $85,932,000 for the same period last year. Net income was $682,000 for the first six months of 1997, compared to $3,307,000 for the first six months of 1996. Net income per common share for the first six months of 1997 was $0.09 compared to $0.46 for the first half of 1996.

The second quarter results, which returned the Company to profitability from losses reported in the fourth quarter of 1996 and the first quarter of 1997, were encouraging as net sales met the Company's expectations. Improvements in gross margin are the result of increases in selling prices and continued improvements in operating efficiencies. The decrease in net income from the comparable quarter in the prior year is related to increased spending in selling general and administrative expenses. For the first time, the Company launched a combined national radio advertising and promotional campaign to support the Company's brand domestically and in Europe.

Ben&Jerry's produces superpremium ice cream, ice cream novelties, lowfat ice cream, lowfat and non-fat yogurt, and sorbet using Vermont dairy products, Vermont spring water, and high quality natural ingredients. Ben&Jerry's products are distributed nationwide and in selected foreign countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, scoop shops, restaurants and other venues.

Ben&Jerry's Homemade, Inc.
Condensed Statement of Operations
(In thousands except per share data)
(unaudited)

Thirteen weeks endedTwenty -six weeks ended
June 28, 1997 June 29, 1996 June 28, 1997 June 29, 1996
Net sales $50,701 $48,043 $86,849 $85,932
Gross profit 19,150 16,540 29,153 28,505
Selling, general,&administrative expense 15,872 13,252 27,274 23,608
Operating income 3,278 3,288 1,879 4,897
Other income (expense) (470) (154) (779) 438
Income before income taxes 2,808 3,134 1,100 5,335
Net income 1,741 1,943 682 3,307
Net income per common share $0.24 $0.27 $0.09 $0.46
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding 7,358 7,260 7,322 7,258

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