If you've ever had a pint of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Half Baked or Brownie Chew Gooder (all A's in my book), you've experienced first hand some of the best brownies in the ice cream business. Many think that these sensational squares are made in house by Ben & Jerry's, but I'm here to enlighten the uneducated ice cream consumer. The only thing better than the taste of my favorite mix-in from Vermont's Finest, is what goes on behind the scenes at Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, New York, the place where Ben & Jerry's buys their brownies from. Here's what they have to say about their mission statement, "At Greyston, we think of ourselves as Bakers on a Mission. For over 30 years, we have been at the forefront of social responsibility by advancing our people and community through employment, affordable housing, and child care. We believe a strong community benefits everyone and its been a part of our recipe for baking the most delicious brownies for decades because we know that inspired bakers make inspired baked goods."
Back in April, when I was in Vermont at the Ben & Jerry's headquarters, they made it evident that they intended to try and make all their flavors Fairtrade. This immediately raised the question of whether or not they would start severing ties with some of the companies they've sourced from in the past. Ben & Jerry's quickly clarified that despite their 100% Fairtrade aspirations, they wouldn't do so at the expense of breaking bonds with companies like Greyston Bakery, that are making real differences in the lives of people. By hiring people that may not otherwise be employable, their giving second chances to hard-working Americans that actually deserve them. I can only hope that Ben & Jerry's and Greyston Bakery continue their partnership for many years to come, not only because of the surrounding social mission, but also for selfish, personal reasons having to do with my infatuation with their fudge brownies.
