Ben & Jerry's 'free cone day' returns for 2024 - here's how to get as many free ice creams as you can eat

Ben & Jerry's annual 'free cone day' is back - and the company wants to give away 1 million scoops.

That would make it the biggest ever for the event - this year on Tuesday, April 16 - that began in 1979.

Ice cream fans can get as many free scoops as they want - but they can only get one at a time so they need to get back in line each time.

Generous Ben & Jerry's has this advice: 'It's easiest to jump back in the queue on free cone day with a scoop already in hand.'

Free ice cream cones will be handed out to all customers who are in line at participating shops from noon to 8pm.

Ben & Jerry's annual Free Cone Day is back on Tuesday, April 16

Ice cream fans can get as many free scoops as they want - but they can only get one at a time so they need to get back in line each time

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream factory and corporate headquarters - which also sells ice crem

Last year, Free Cone Day returned after a four-year pause due to Covid.

'It was nothing short of amazing to see our fans back in our shops in their full Free Cone Day glory,' said Dave Stever, Ben & Jerry's CEO, who dished out ice cream at the Scoop Shops in Vermont.

'We gave out over 970,000 scoops across the globe, but we know together with our fans we can break 1 million scoops.

'We're asking our fans to really bring it this year: invite their friends, family, neighbors, and help us beat our goal of 1 million scoops on Free Cone Day 2024.'

The tradition began in 1979 as cofounders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield survived their first winter – as a tiny, independent, two-person ice cream business – in the frozen tundra of Vermont.

National Weather Service records dubbed it 'the brutal winter of 1978-1979' as the average temperature reached a record low of 14.1°F (-10°C) and the winter season snowfall set a record of 52.9 inches (134 centimeters).

The company says that today's traditions are no different now - it has always been a way to give back to the community and thank fans for their support.

The only difference is that the once single 'mom & pop' shop is now one of the largest ice cream businesses in the US.

Fans can stop by their local shop for a go-to favorite or ask about new flavors. 

These include brand-new Scoop Shop exclusive Mango flavor, made of mango ice cream swirled with sweet cream ice cream, or recently debuted Non-Dairy Strawberry Cheezecake.

New additions Impretzively Fudged and PB S'more make great options for the sweet and salty lovers.

Can't decide? Flavors may vary based on location but fans are welcome to try any and all available flavors and are encouraged to get back in line as many times as they'd like.

Meanwhile, Unilever, the company that makes Ben & Jerry´s ice cream, Dove soaps and Vaseline, said Tuesday that it is cutting 7,500 jobs and spinning off its ice cream business to reduce costs and boost profits.

Ben & Jerry's parent company will spin it, as well as its other ice cream brands, off into a stand-alone business after more than 100 years in the ice cream business

Several years ago, the brand came to blows with Unilever when it announced it would no longer sell ice cream in Israeli settlements. Unilever responded by selling the brand's Israeli operation to avoid further conflict

London-based Unilever said its ice cream business, which also includes Magnum bars, has 'distinct characteristics' from its other brands and would benefit from separate ownership to increase growth. 

It said the split is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

Ben & Jerry's, though a popular brand, has created political problems for Unilever in recent years as the brand's independent board ties itself to progressive stances that alienate sects of its consumer base.

In 2022, Unilever and the brand got into a legal fight after the corporation sold its Ben & Jerry's operation in Israel, a move that came after the independent American board said publicly that it would halt the sales of its products in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.