Get ready to create some memories with Ben & Jerry’s mango-nificient NEW ice cream sensation, Sweet Mango Memories. This fruity new flavour, features sweet cream ice cream, tastebud tingling mango swirls and white ampersand chunks. The sweet creation was co-created with entrepreneurs from refugee backgrounds, influenced by the tastes and aromas of happy memories and joyful moments in their lives.
Sweet Mango Memories is Ben & Jerry’s second ice cream flavour co-created with refugee entrepreneurs from the UP Collective programme. 13 entrepreneurs with refugee backgrounds and their allies from TERN (The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network) came together with Ben & Jerry’s Flavour Gurus and retail experts from Co-op to create the new ice cream. The food we eat – or the ice cream we enjoy together – can link us to memories of the times, places, and experiences we’ve shared. Sweet Mango Memories brings the taste and smells associated with some of the happiest memories and joyful events of the refugee co-creator’s lives to our spoons.
The vibrant packaging was co-designed by Olya Shevchenko, an Up Collective graduate who has a refugee background, UI/UX designer and artist. “My inspiration for the design comes from my emotions, childhood memories, and reflections for a hopeful future. It embodies the feelings of summer, carefreeness, joy, and the anticipation of a bright and happy future,” comments Olya.
Zeinab Deria, one of the Sweet Mango Memories co-creators, comments on the new flavour: “Co-creating Sweet Mango Memories with Ben & Jerry’s and UP Collective was a truly significant experience that combined diverse backgrounds and stories to create a flavour that evokes joy, unity, and nostalgia. For me this flavour brings back happy memories of sun-soaked childhood days, sharing mangoes with friends and family, and innocence, at a time when life was simpler and full of possibility. Co-creating Sweet Mango Memories taught me how shared ideas and respect for different perspectives can create something beautiful; It wasn’t just about making ice cream but about a world without division, where everyone belongs.”
What’s even sweeter; proceeds from every tub go to supporting people with refugee backgrounds to explore entrepreneurship. Research from the International Rescue Committee shows that when people with refugee experiences access meaningful employment or self-employment that builds on their skillset, it helps them rebuild their lives, become more self-sufficient and play a fuller role in society.
Fred Kastner, co-founder of TERN said: “At TERN, it moves us deeply to partner with Ben & Jerry’s and our alumni to create delightful new flavours that not only bring joy to ice cream fans across Europe, but also celebrate the stories and cultures of refugee entrepreneurs. This collaboration is about forging meaningful partnerships with refugee communities who can enable themselves through the power of their own ideas. We encourage other businesses with a conscience to follow in Ben & Jerry’s footsteps and to partner with us to co-create their own innovative products and services with refugee entrepreneurs that benefit everyone.”
Elif Ulun Asci, social mission manager at Ben & Jerry’s said: “We’re incredibly proud to partner with TERN and UP Collective for our second flavour co-created with refugee entrepreneurs. Not only does this sweet new flavour delight both new and existing ice cream fans, collaborating with entrepreneurs with diverse backgrounds to create a flavour like Sweet Mango Memories shows the power of co-creation. The collaborative process means refugee entrepreneurs gain valuable opportunities that they can put into practice in their own entrepreneurial ventures. We hope it brings as much joy and happiness to your spoons as it does to ours.”
Ben & Jerry’s NEW mango-nificent flavour, co-created with refugee entrepreneurs will be available in Co-op across the UK from March 2025, with a recommended retail price (RRP) of £5.75
