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Thousands of Harvard students and Cambridge residents flocked to the Ben & Jerry’s Harvard Square location for a free scoop of the Vermont ice cream as a part of the company’s nation-wide Free Cone Day on Tuesday.
Harvard Square Ben & Jerry’s manager Raina Mesibov said the shop expected to dish out at least 5,000 ice cream cones this year as the lines wrapped around the sidewalks and down Mount Auburn Street. In past years, Ben & Jerry’s has served up to 7,000 people.
Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day dates back to 1979, when the company’s founders — Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield — started handing out free scoops as a thank-you to the customers who kept their Burlington, VT. ice shop and larger dream alive during year one.
“We love giving back to the community,” Mesibov said, adding that her favorite part of Free Cone Day was “getting the whole team together.”
“We actually all go out for a team dinner after, so it’s just nice team time,” Mesibov added.
Harvard students and Cambridge residents arrived at Ben & Jerry’s in large numbers, despite the cold temperatures and long lines.
“I’m here because, of course, it’s free ice cream,” Aileen D. Pineda ’27 said. “Even though the weather’s 30 degrees, I absolutely love free ice cream.”
Popular flavors ranged from Salted Caramel Blondie to Chocolate Therapy, Half Baked, and Marshmallow Sky.
Pascale C. Fung ’27 said she was excited to take a break from classes and head to the ice cream shop.
“I’m an ice cream enthusiast, and I grew up on Ben & Jerry’s, so it’s nostalgic to come back,” she said.
The Harvard Square branch of Ben & Jerry’s partnered with the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter for the annual tradition, offering an extra scoop for people who made donations starting at three dollars.
“It’s just nice to come out and support a good cause, while also getting some ice cream,” Zain Memon ’28 said.
The partnership between the Harvard Square Ben & Jerry’s shop and HSHS began in 2023, when one of the workers also volunteered at the shelter and proposed a collaboration.
The long lines at the Ben & Jerry’s in Harvard Square and Porter Square stretched from 12:00 p.m. and continued until late in the evening as many waited for their free scoop.
“You can line up as many times as you want, until 8:00 p.m.,” said Mesibov. “We don’t judge.”
