Travel with Terri
Ben & Jerry’s: Delicious in every season
Story and Photos By Terri Marshall
Depending on the season, Vermont brings to mind images of snow-covered ski slopes, picturesque country roads brilliant from fall foliage or lush green mountains for hiking. But there is one Vermont image we can enjoy in any season…Ben & Jerry’s iconic ice cream!
Recently, I was fortunate enough to visit Ben & Jerry’s Waterbury, Vermont factory and the central headquarters office in Burlington, Vermont with a few other writers. All were in search of ice cream. I also found a really fun company.
Ben and Jerry met when they were 13 and – as the slowest kids in gym class – were destined for friendship. When they were 25 they decided they should do some type of business together and it should involve a shared love – food. Ice cream seemed pretty easy so they sent for a $5 correspondence course on ice cream technology (they split the cost of the course). Ben and Jerry excelled in the class scoring 100% on all of the “open-book” tests. Astounding.
In 1978 with just $12,000 ($4,000 of it borrowed) Ben and Jerry 
opened up their first ice cream shop in a dilapidated old gas station in downtown Burlington. It was business – but it was also fun. To celebrate their first anniversary in 1979, they hosted the first ever Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day on April 12th. The tradition continues today so mark your calendar! In 1986, they embarked on a cross-country “marketing drive” in a modified mobile home dubbed the “Cowmobile” where they handed out free cones all across the country. Unfortunately, the Cowmobile caught fire just outside of Cleveland, Ohio four months later. Thankfully no one was hurt and Ben deemed it the “World’s Largest Baked Alaska”.
Ben & Jerry’s mission has remained steadfast despite the growth and worldwide recognition the brand enjoys. Work is still fun. Jerry initiated the “joy gang” for employees – a group of employees who conjure up ways to keep fun in the work day. Touring headquarters the joy was obvious. Employees bring their dogs to work, there is an onsite fitness center, yoga classes are offered, massages are available and each employee can take three pints of ice cream home every day. Who wouldn’t be happy there? And who wouldn’t need that fitness center?
Just up the road from headquarters in Waterbury, Vermont nestled in the Green Mountains, Ben & Jerry’s factory sits on a rolling pasture. The fun is open to the public here with tours and tastings and the cutest little gift shop filled with all kinds of stuffed cows, ice cream flavored lip balms and T-shirts that read “Body by Ben & Jerry’s”.
A fun and educational experience for all ages, Ben & Jerry’s factory tours begin in the Cow over the Moon Theater with a moo-vie about the company’s history, its three part mission statement and the production of ice cream. After the moo-vie, guests head to a mezzanine for a bird’s eye view of the place where the ice cream magic happens – the production line! After that, it’s off to the Flavoroom for a tasting of the Flavor of the Day.
While I was visiting the factory, I met Laure who has the really difficult job of maintaining quality control. It is Laure’s responsibility to sample ice cream every day to be certain the Ben & Jerry standards are in every pint. She is proud of the Ben & Jerry brand and not a single pint of unfit ice cream will get past her!
Despite all the happiness that is present at the Ben & Jerry’s factory, sadness awaits just outside. It is here that ice cream flavors are laid to rest in the Flavor Graveyard. We climbed the icy snow covered hill to the gates of the cemetery to pay our respects to the flavors of yesteryear – where I lingered over the tombstone of Devil’s Food Chocolate fighting back my tears. Sigh.
All of this sadness required a little therapy and I got exactly what I 
needed with a new addition to the Ben & Jerry’s pint collection – Chocolate Therapy. The blend of dark chocolate ice cream, chocolate pudding and dark chocolate cookie chunks brought me back to my happy place.
Ben & Jerry’s takes advantage of snowy winters with guided snowshoe tours every Saturday and Sunday from January through March. The tours led by Umiak Outdoor Outfitters are offered every hour on the hour and are 30 minutes long. The cost is $15 per adult, $10 for kids 10 and under and covers equipment rental (snowshoes and poles), guided showshoe tour and admission to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory. For reservations and information, visit www.umiak.com.
In the summer months there are outdoor activities, cows in the pasture and plenty of space for picnicking. Tours are $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and kids 12 and under are free.
No matter what the season, there is always something delicious to experience at Ben & Jerry’s! www.benjerry.com
Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. Also, check out her blog at www.trippingwithterri.com. You can contact Terri at [email protected].