Americone Dream Turns 7 and Transitions to Non-GMO

On Valentine’s Day 2007 a love of Romeo and Juliet proportions was unveiled in the United States. This love followed the quickest way to one’s heart: via the stomach. February 14, 2007 was the official launch date of Stephen Colbert’s AmeriCone Dream ice cream. The delicious creation has been one of the most popular offerings ever by Vermont’s progressive ice cream purveyor, Ben & Jerry’s.

To celebrate the anniversary, Ben & Jerry’s will spread some peace, love and ice cream in the Big Apple delivering free scoops of AmeriCone Dream including full pints to each of Colbert’s studio audiences during the week of the flavor anniversary.

At the time of the flavor launch in 2007, Colbert was quick to claim that he would be bringing his own saltiness to Ben & Jerry’s typically sweet and liberal, save-the-world mentality, stating: “It’s great to see that they’ve finally brought some balance to the freezer case.” However, since then, it’s Colbert’s concoction that has done an impressive amount of good for the world. The host, who donates all of his proceeds of the flavor’s sales, has raised over a million dollars to support children’s causes, veterans’ efforts, and the environment.

Meanwhile, Ben & Jerry’s continues to do its part as a responsible company that espouses the philosophy: “business has a responsibility to give back to the community.” In 2014 AmeriCone Dream will transition along with the full line of flavors to be made entirely with non-genetically modified organisms by source. In addition, the flavor was recently added to the growing list of the company’s ice cream flavors that utilize Fairtrade ingredients (specifically vanilla, sugar and cocoa) thereby supporting farmers in developing countries by paying them a fair wage for their goods. “Simply folding Fairtrade ingredients into Stephen’s flavor provides an opportunity for farmers around the globe to reach their own AmeriCone Dreams of prosperity,” said Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder, Jerry Greenfield who has appeared on The Colbert Report numerous times. Greenfield plans to help celebrate at the February 12th taping. The first appearance by the ice cream duo and national flavor unveiling included an invitation for Colbert to join the Research and Development team in Vermont after the host suggested a Ronald Reagan flavor, with jelly beans… and bits of the Berlin Wall.

Source: Businesswire.

(Thank you to Caroline and Mrc for the Tip!)