10 Fun Facts About Ben & Jerry’s That We Bet You Didn’t Know

July 29, 2015

From the slide in our Vermont headquarters to the fact that many of us bring our furry dog friends to work with us, there's a lot of fun stuff at Ben & Jerry's. You've probably heard some of our weird stories, but we'll bet you haven't heard all of them. Here are 10 to add to your arsenal of odd facts, perfect for impressing your friends next time you meet up for a cone of your favorite flavor:

 

1. Ben and Jerry are Childhood Friends

Our founders met while running around the track in 7th grade gym. Well, maybe “walking” is more like it. They were the slowest kids in the class.

Ben and Jerry met on a track

 

2. We Believe in More Cowbell

In 2012, we joined Jon Fishman of the band Phish to host the world’s largest cowbell ensemble. Over 1,600 cowbells were clanged as we raised $20,000 for the Waterwheel Foundation.

 

3. Each Waffle Cone Has an Average of 259 Little Squares

As if the cones weren’t big enough to begin with; each tiny box holds even more ice cream, chunks and swirls than a smooth surface would.

Ben & Jerry's Waffle Cone

 

4. We Used to Sell Soup

It’s true! When Jerry and Ben first started, they sold ice cream, crepes, pottery and soup. Chicken Noodle Fudge Chunk, anyone?   

Ben & Jerry's Early Days we used to sell soup

 

5. No 2 Scoop Shops Are Exactly Alike

Case in point: there’s a Scoop Shop sitting at 7,953 feet above sea level in Mammoth, CA, while the Bannister’s Wharf Scoop Shop in Newport, RI, sits on stilts above the Atlantic.

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop

 

6. We Follow Our Hearts

Whether it’s Climate Justice, Marriage Equality or standing up for the little guy, we’re not afraid to let our progressive values show us the way.

Ben & Jerry's is a values-led business cow holding signs

 

7. None of Our Original Pints Survived

Just look at this list of our original pint flavors: Oreo Mint, French Vanilla, Chocolate Fudge, Wild Blueberry, Mocha Walnut, Honey Coffee and Honey Orange. You won’t find any of them in your grocer’s freezer aisle.

Ben & Jerry's original ice cream flavors

 

8. Sausage Inspires Us

The machinery we use to create our Cores is based on a German sausage maker. Thanks, meat!

Ben & Jerry's Cores

 

9. We Love Vanilla

Counting ice cream, light ice cream, low fat ice cream, no sugar added ice cream, Carb Karma, Greek and regular frozen yogurt, there have been 43 flavors with “Vanilla” in the name.

Ben & Jerry's Vanilla ice cream yellow and white cows

 

10. Cherry Garcia Can Fly

Ok. The ice cream didn’t fly. But the hot air balloon did. It was 10 stories tall, roughly the size of 11.7 million scoops of Cherry Garcia in a waffle cone.

Ben & Jerry's Hot Air Balloons

 

There you have it! Ten things you may not have known, that you now know and will never forget. Have your own fun Ben & Jerry's stories? Share them with us in the comments below!