Anyone who pays attention at the grocery store knows that the package sizes of many popular foods have been drastically reduced in recent years.  Everything from Doritos to breakfast cereal has been hit by the grocery shrink ray.  It seems that no product is safe in a world where corporate profits are shrinking fast and executives are desperate to find ways to increase their margins.

One of the most noticeable carton size reductions has come in the freezer aisle.  The carton size of many popular ice cream brands like Edy’s & Breyers has been scaled down from 1/2 gallon cartons to 1.5 quarts in recent years.  Not only have the ice cream cartons been shrinking, I think that the actual quality of ice cream has taken a nose dive.  Edy’s in particular tastes mysteriously light and unflavorful.  The chunks of candy featured in ice cream flavors have recently been crunched up so small that you’ll be lucky if you can find anything to chew.  What’s the deal ice cream guys?  Dont you know that your customers like the chunks?

Ben & Jerry’s has always been portrayed as a premium brand to me.   The small carton size and $1.50 difference in price has always been a determining factor in my choice of ice cream…until now.  With ice cream cartons shrinking and flavor not meeting my expectations from other brands, I’ve decided to trade up and make Ben & Jerry’s my ice cream of choice.  The quality is second to none and the selection is phenomenal.  There are chunks in almost every bite!  Not to mention, Ben & Jerry’s is All Natural and includes crazy flavors like Chubby Hubby and Chunky Monkey.  Lets not forget the classics like vanilla heath bar and chocolate chip cookie dough.

If cartons of ice cream continue to shrink, eventually everyone will be making pint sized cartons just like Ben & Jerry did.

Seems to me like they have had it right all along.