Ben & Jerry's new Dessert Emporium in Times Square, opened on August 2, 2004, is about more than just ice cream. For breakfast, lunch, after-dinner or an afternoon pick-me-up - the Dessert Emporium offers a delicious treat for any time of day.

"We've taken euphoria to a new plane with the Ben & Jerry's Dessert Emporium. For years, Ben & Jerry's has been trying to get bigger chunks into our ice cream. We've finally decided to give people the whole piece of cake or pie!" said Will Patten, Director of Retail Operations. "We've one-upped ourselves to offer New Yorkers the perfect pairing - chunk-and swirl-filled ice cream or frozen yogurt plus blissful cakes, pies, cookies and brownies. And what better accompaniment to these delightful combinations than a bodacious cup of Green Mountain Coffee?"

In 1978, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield opened the first Ben & Jerry's scoop shop in a dilapidated old gas station in Burlington, Vermont that they renovated with help from friends. Ben Cohen's long-time dream was to create the ultimate treat retreat where people could enjoy Ben & Jerry's ice cream, decadent desserts and rich, aromatic coffee. Twenty-six years later, that dream has become a sweet reality with Ben & Jerry's first Dessert Emporium.

The Dessert Emporium features certified organic and Fair Trade certified coffee from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters of Vermont. Fair Trade certification guarantees small-scale coffee farmers a fair price for their crop.

The Greyston Bakery in Yonkers, baker of all the brownies for Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Half-Baked ice cream and low-fat frozen yogurt, provides many of the baked goods for the new Dessert Emporium. Greyston Bakery is a leader in community development and a role model in the world of social enterprise.

"Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Greyston Bakery were the ideal partners for the Dessert Emporium," added Patten. "In addition to a pledge to make the world a tastier place, Ben & Jerry's, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Greyston Bakery all share a commitment to the environment and improving the quality of life in the communities in which we live."

Ben & Jerry's Dessert Emporium is located at 680 8th Avenue at 43rd Street.

ABOUT BEN & JERRY'S

Ben & Jerry's produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and ice cream novelties, using dairy products from a Vermont dairy cooperative and high-quality ingredients. The company is committed to using milk and cream from cows that have not been treated with the synthetic hormone rBGH, and states its position on rBGH on its labels. Ben & Jerry's products are distributed nationwide and in selected foreign countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues.

Ben & Jerry's, a wholly-owned autonomous subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part mission statement emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the community. Ben & Jerry's contributes a minimum of $1.1 million annually through corporate philanthropy that is primarily employee led. Contributions made via the Ben & Jerry's Foundation in 2001 totaled over $1.4 million. Additionally, the company makes significant product donations to community groups and nonprofits both in Vermont and across the nation. The purpose of Ben & Jerry's philanthropy is to support the founding values of the company: economic and social justice, environmental restoration and peace through understanding, and to support our Vermont communities.

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