I'm a pretty laid-back kind of guy. What I've always wanted to do is set up situations in our company where if people who worked there needed help, we would try to help them, and at the same token if the company needed help from people, they would help us. A kind of give and take.

I guess I harboured hopes that things would happen more quickly, but I'm not disappointed.

If you open up the mind, the opportunity to address both profits and social conditions are limitless. It's a process of innovation.

One out of every 100 families in Vermont was a part owner of Ben and Jerry's.

Ice cream is the perfect buffer, because you can do things in a somewhat lighthearted way. Plus, people have an emotional response to ice cream; it's more than just food. So I think when you combine caring, and eating wonderful food, it's a very powerful combination.

If you support the community, they will support you.

Businesses typically look at issues like price, quality, time of delivery. They don't often think about social and environmental impact because they're focused on their financial bottom line.