Ben & Jerry's Scoops up National Voter Registration Day with Greyston Bakery

As a long-time partner of Ben & Jerry's, Greyston Bakery has been and continues to make brownies to provide jobs to people who traditionally would be considered unemployable. The two companies are encouraging fans and employees to come to the YMCA at 17 Riverdale Avenue in Yonkers, NY from 2-4pm to register and pledge to vote and indulge in a free scoop of Ben & Jerry's Empower Mint ice cream. The flavor was launched earlier this year and features a Peppermint Ice Cream with a Fudge Swirl and Fudgy Brownies made by Greyston Bakery, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP.

But the voter registration effort doesn't stop in Yonkers. Ben & Jerry's NVRD campaign will also make stops in North Carolina and Virginia, two states where the voting rights of minorities have been strategically suppressed. Since May, Ben & Jerry's has campaigned in North Carolina with a coalition of organizations including NAACP North Carolina, NC PIRG, Common Cause, and Democracy NC. "We chose to focus our efforts in North Carolina in response to a coordinated effort by the state legislature to exclude minorities and young people from the political process. We believe our democracy works best when the voices of all citizens are heard," said Brodie O'Brien, Ben & Jerry's Assistant Marketing Manager who is overseeing the campaign in North Carolina and beyond.

By October 14^th, the conclusion of the voter registration portion of the campaign, Ben & Jerry's aims to have over 40,000 pledges to vote and 5,000 new voters registered. Ben & Jerry's will have participated in over 150 events, with 75 of those focused in North Carolina alone.

"Some would say that the name of Ben & Jerry's newest flavor, Empower Mint, is ironic, but we think it's iconic! Who would have thought a scoop of ice cream could influence voting rights?" said O'Brien. To take action now, fans can visit benjerry.com/democracy to register to vote, sign a petition calling on Congress to protect the voting rights of all citizens, and find information about local election deadlines. And don't forget Election Day is November 8^th, 2016. Democracy only works when it works for everyone!

About Ben & Jerry's

As an aspiring social justice company, Ben & Jerry's believes in a greater calling than simply making a profit for selling its goods. The company produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream, yogurt and sorbet using high-quality ingredients. Ben & Jerry's incorporates its vision of Linked Prosperity into its business practices in a number of ways including a focus on values-led sourcing. In 2015 the company completed its transition to using entirely non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) ingredients by source as well as to fully source Fairtrade-certified ingredients wherever possible, which benefits farmers in developing countries. Ben and Jerry's products are distributed in 35 countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues. Ben & Jerry's, a Vermont corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the community. Ben & Jerry's became a certified B Corp (Benefit Corporation) in 2012. The Ben & Jerry's Foundation's employee-led grant programs totaled $2.5MM in 2015 to support economic and social justice, environmental restoration, and peace through understanding. For the inside scoop on Ben & Jerry's visit www.benjerry.com.

About Greyston Bakery

Greyston is a pioneering social enterprise addressing the needs of Southwest Yonkers since 1982.  Through Open Hiring™, we embrace an individual's potential, providing employment opportunities regardless of background or work history while bringing together the support and services needed to succeed in the workplace and to thrive in the community. Best known for Greyston Bakery, which crafts brownies for the likes of Ben & Jerry's and Whole Foods Market, the organization has spearheaded community empowerment efforts.  Grounded in an understanding that people need more than a job, Greyston offers workforce development, community gardens, environmental education and an Early Learning Center. Our vision remains ahead of its time, as we prepare to bring the Open Hiring™ model to the national stage.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160926/411817

SOURCE Ben & Jerry's

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