Doggie desserts: Ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s enters pet food business

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Category: Business

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. foray / ˈfɔr eɪ / (n.) – an attempt to do or become involved with something, especially for the first time
    Example:

    The actor’s foray into the music industry wasn’t very successful, so he went back to making films.


  2. lucrative / ˈlu krə tɪv / (adj.) – able to produce a lot of money
    Example:

    Selling rare collector’s items is a lucrative business.


  3. come in (something) / kʌm ɪn / (idiom) – to be produced or offered in certain colors, styles, flavors, etc.
    Example:

    The candles we sell come in different scents and sizes.


  4. pivot / ˈpɪv ət / (v.) – to change direction or strategy  
    Example:

    To appeal to younger audiences, the movie studio pivoted from horror movies to more family-friendly films.


  5. balloon / bəˈlun / (v.) – to multiply or increase quickly
    Example:

    The company’s debt ballooned last quarter because of the crisis.


Article

Read the text below.

Think your dog deserves dessert? So does Ben & Jerry’s.


The world-famous Vermont ice cream company has introduced a line of frozen dog treats, its first foray into the lucrative pet food market. Doggie Desserts, sold in 4-ounce (113-gram) cups, went on sale in U.S. groceries and pet stores early this month.


The treats come in two flavors: pumpkin with cookies and peanut butter with pretzels. Both are made from the same ingredients Ben & Jerry’s uses in its nondairy human desserts.


Ben & Jerry’s is the latest food company to pivot to pets. It follows General Mills, the maker of Haagen-Dazs ice cream, and J.M. Smucker, the maker of jams and peanut butter, among other companies.


Spending on dog treats has ballooned in the U.S., jumping 44% to $5.5 billion (¥573 billion) from 2015 to 2020, according to data firm Euromonitor. (AP)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Spending on dog treats has ballooned in the US, jumping 44% to $5.5 billion from 2015-2020. What do you think is the reason for the huge increase (ex. more people have pets, people are spending more time with their pets during lockdown)? Discuss.
  • Ben & Jerry’s, General Mills, and J.M. Smucker have all pivoted to pets in recent years. Do you think more food companies will follow? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Ben & Jerry’s new frozen dog treats are made from the same ingredients the company uses in its nondairy human desserts. Do you think many pet owners will eat them with their dogs? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • The treats come in two flavors: pumpkin with cookies and peanut butter with pretzels. What other flavors do you think Ben & Jerry’s should add? Why? Discuss.