Ben & Jerry’s is unveiling a new, policing and public safety-inspired ice cream flavor: Change is Brewing.
The flavor, revealed Monday at an event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., was created in support of legislation that Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) introduced in June, the People’s Response Act.
Bush, who was on hand as the latest ice cream offering made its debut, has said her bill would establish a public safety division within the Department of Health & Human Services for a “health-centered approach” to public safety.
Bush said she was “still stunned to be able to do this” as she spoke about the legislation that inspired the launch of the coffee-filled ice cream flavor.
“When Black people call for help in St. Louis, and in other places around this country, we too often don’t receive a just response,” Bush said, touting the People’s Response Act.
“This bill makes it clear that public safety is a public health issue,” she said.
The newest limited batch flavor “supports the vision of the world in which every community is safe and everyone — including Black and brown people — can thrive,” said Jabari Paul, U.S. activism manager for Ben & Jerry’s.
“Change is Brewing also embodies our commitment to racial equity,” Paul added.
The flavor — which features cold brew coffee ice cream with marshmallow swirls and fudge brownies — will be available in pints and at some Ben & Jerry’s shops.
Ben & Jerry’s said some of the ingredients in the cold treat, including the coffee and brownies, are provided by Black-owned businesses. The artwork for the pint’s design was created by Laci Jordan, a Black multi-disciplinary designer.
A portion of the proceeds from sales of the flavor will be donated to “grassroots groups working to transform public safety in America,” according to Ben & Jerry’s.
Last year, the ice cream behemoth — known for its social advocacy and progressive politics — collaborated with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick to create a dessert honoring “activism in pursuit of racial justice.”
“If you’re wondering why an ice cream company cares about public safety or the passage of this legislation, the answer is simple,” Paul said Monday. “We care because we believe in the power of business to impact positive social change in the world.”
The company faced fierce criticism earlier this year after announcing it would end sales of its ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) urged the State Board of Administration of Florida to place Ben & Jerry’s on its Continued Examination Companies that Boycott Israel List, while Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) called on his state to block the sale of the company’s ice cream in protest of the move.