Paul Newman's Little-Known Connections To Ben & Jerry's - Tasting Table

"In 1998, Newman's Own Ice Cream was launched, with an assist from Ben & Jerry's. The charitable ice cream was manufactured at Ben & Jerry's Springfield, Vermont plant, and was also distributed and marketed by the company. Like other Newman's Own products, all post-tax profits were donated to charity."

"The ice cream was sold in quarts and available in five flavors, which were developed by Newman and named by the actor and his friend, writer A. E. Hotchner: Milk Chocolate Mudbath, Obscene Vanilla Bean, Pistol Packin' Praline Pecan, Giddy Up Coffee, and Lovable Mint Chip."

"Today, the company boasts more than $600 million in charitable giving to organizations that fund nutrition education, school food, food sovereignty, and Newman's own charities, including Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and SeriousFun Children's Network."

Paul Newman created Newman's Own in 1982, committing to donate 100% of after-tax profits to charity. The brand expanded from salad dressing to include pasta sauces, frozen pizzas, popcorn, and other products. In 1998, Newman's Own Ice Cream launched through a partnership with Ben & Jerry's, manufactured at their Springfield, Vermont facility. The ice cream featured five creatively named flavors developed by Newman and writer A. E. Hotchner. Though discontinued in 1999, the venture contributed to Newman's Own's remarkable charitable legacy, which has donated over $600 million to organizations supporting nutrition education, school food, food sovereignty, and children's charities including Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and SeriousFun Children's Network.

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