Something to Snack On

BY: JENNA MEAD

GUEST WRITER

We all appreciate some Ben and Jerry’s, especially when it is 22 below outside. Recently, the Vermont based company released a new flavor to keep up with the changing job of Jimmy Fallon (who formerly had “Late-Night Snack”), but has taken on a new role on the Tonight Show. The new flavor, “the Tonight Dough” is not messing around either with the description reading “chocolate and caramel ice creams with chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter cookie dough and a crunchy chocolate cookie swirl.”

The addition of a new flavor adds to the company’s dangerously delicious plethora, but they do not only strive to make a high-quality product: additionally, all the ice cream produced is made using FairTrade ingredients. This means that all of the ingredient producers are paid fair, market value prices for their goods, meaning that the sugar, vanilla, or coffee farmers that provide them are fairly compensated. This is not a required practice by the United States or by many of the countries that are providing the products. For example, the very important ingredient cocoa in the new flavor is imported from the Ivory Coast. The higher prices paid by FairTrade companies allow for developing countries that produce these goods to have a better quality of life. FairTrade proponents argue that the ability for developing countries to have better lives is more important than increasing revenue for the company.

The company practices positive business practices by continuing to uses the “Caring Dairy,” which promotes better conditions for dairy farms, from the cows themselves to the chemicals used on the farm. The company also commits to using cage-free eggs, all non-GMO ingredients, and uses environmentally responsible packaging and maintains a low carbon footprint.

Ben and Jerry’s is a company that makes a profit, but also cares about the world it is in. The founders promote progressive values for their products and business practices. Given “The Tonight Dough,” the company is choosing to give the proceeds to SeriousFun Children’s Network. The network supports camps for children with illnesses to have the opportunity to gain confidence and independence.

If you are looking for a little something to take care of your sweet tooth (and you gave up candy for Lent), pony up the Full-Flex, and do not let the nutrition facts on the back of that pint of Ben and Jerry’s stop you. This ice cream is out to change the world, and your late night pleasure is someone else’s livelihood or ticket to camp. Grab a spoon; I cannot finish this whole thing myself.