Who has never eaten Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream from the carton? And, those cartons are so colorful that they invite reading. And, the crazy names of the ice cream flavors beg for even more attention. So, you probably know that there is a factory tour of the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream manufacturing plant in Waterbury, Vermont.

What you don’t probably know is that Ben and Jerry’s was bought by Unilever, and that there are other plants, the largest of which is in Nevada, and that there is a $3.00 charge for the tour, which leaves every thirty minutes.

Even though the tour is just thirty minutes long, it is still worth it. It begins with a six minute well-produced video about the beginning of the company. It details the two entrepreneurs and their commitment to social, environmental, and business concerns. The factory is open seven days a week, but ice cream is produced just Monday through Thursday. On Sunday we looked at the production floor with no activity. That did not seem to bother anyone on the tour which includes going up and down twenty-six steps. It ends with a sample of a new flavor of ice cream. On the day we were there, it was yellow cake with chocolate frosting. I didn’t like it, but then everyone else finished his.

The tour is fun, short, and a little inspiring. I recommend it.