Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is known for many things; his appeal to young voters and socialist policies in particular, but now the presidential candidate has a new claim to fame, an ice-cream flavor. Ben and Jerry’s founder Ben Cohen is sending a political message with the newest flavor, called “Bernie’s Back”.
The ice cream is flavored with a red-hot cinnamon taste and features a “backbone” made from toffee running through the middle. It is topped with a chocolate disk. According to a video posted to Facebook by Cohen, each of these components was chosen for a specific reason. If the combination of hot cinnamon, toffee and chocolate doesn’t sound appealing, buyers can at least rest easy, knowing their ice-cream is serving up a politically charged message.
“It’s because Bernie’s got spine,” Cohen said, referring to the ice cream’s unusual flavor combination. “It’s the continuation of the political revolution. We started in 2016 and we’re going to finish it this time.”
The other ice cream components have been chosen with politics in mind as well. According to Cohen, the chocolate piece at the top of each pricey pint “represents all the wealth that has risen to the top 1%”. As for the questionable hot cinnamon flavor of the ice cream, it represents the “political revolution holding politicians’ feet to the fire to make America work for working people of all races and genders.”
This is actually Cohen’s second Bernie Sanders inspired ice cream. The first, called “Bernie’s Yearning”, was released during the elderly socialist’s first presidential run in 2016. Both flavors are limited editions released under a specialty label, “Ben’s Best” label. While it resembles the mainstream Ben and Jerry’s brands, this label is a separate entity. In a recent Tweet, Ben Cohen explained why his ice cream is so political:
“@BernieSanders is the best candidate to beat Trump and drive the transformational change that we need to create a country that works for working families. So Jerry + I are cranking up the old ice cream machine to show our support. Sign up 2 win a pint at http://www.JusticeInAllItsFlavors.com”
You can’t buy this Bernie Sander’s inspired ice cream in stores, but you can win a pint by entering a contest, which is being hosted by Sander’s official campaign website. Cohen wants everyone to have some of this oddly flavored concoction, he recently tweeted:
“ This is just the first in a full line of Bernie flavors. We’re going all the way this time. And when Bernie’s in the White House and I become the Minister of Ice Cream— a pint in every freezer, a sundae in every bowl. http://www.JusticeInAllItsFlavors.com #BerniesBack #Bernie2020 #FeelTheBern”
The latest flavor is available via contest and will eventually be available to the select few who are actually able to afford it; the brand says that they will continue to crank out “social justice” themed ice creams under Cohen’s private label as the presidential election draws near.
It’s an interesting move, but anyone thinking this will improve the lack presidential candidate’s chances shouldn’t hold their breath.
