Last year, Unilever-owned ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s released a limited-edition flavor called Change is Brewing to support US House of Representative Cori Bush’s People’s Response Act. The legislation would create a health-centric approach to public safety by creating a public safety division within the Department of Health and Human Services.
Change is Brewing back again, with new packaging from returning artist Laci Jordan. This year, Ben & Jerry’s is using Change is Brewing to support voter registration and midterm participation by Black voters. Ben & Jerry’s has partnered with Black Voters Matter (BVM) to tour the state of Georgia in the company’s scoop truck, visiting Historical Black College and Universities (HBCUs), big cities, and rural communities.
The pint design gets refreshed with Jordan’s signature style but updated to reflect the theme of this year’s release and the importance of voting for Black people in the US. The pint depicts a child in the background holding a balloon and two adults holding possibly ballots wearing shirts that say “vote” or a checkmark.
Flavor-wise, Change is Brewing remains unchanged and cold brew ice cream with marshmallow swirls and fudge brownies. The coffee is from the Black-owned specialty brand BLK & Bold, which donates 5% of its profits to youth programs. The brownies come from the values-led Greyston Bakery, a Ben & Jerry’s supplier since 1987. Some proceeds from the sale of Change is Brewing will go to Black Voters Matter to support its efforts.
In a joint statement, BVM co-founders LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright said, “Mobilizing and community-building with Black voters are mission critical for BVM. There are so many pressing national and local issues at the forefront right now, from healthcare to housing to basic needs like access to clean water, which we know disproportionately impacts Black communities. While voting is always an exercise in using our power, we know this year that our safety, our health, and our freedom are also on the ballot. And change happens when we use our power collectively at the voting booth.”
“We look forward to partnering with Ben & Jerry’s while on our tour this fall, which has long been a voice for change in our communities and will continue to do the necessary work of increasing progressive power through movement-building.”
Change is Brewing will hit stores soon. To confirm your voter registration, visit action.benjerry.com/vote.
