Ohio Mom Calls Out Ice Cream Parlor’s Abortion Collab

A Columbus, Ohio, mom is taking a stand against Jeni’s Ice Creams for its pro-abortion collaborations, calling for a boycott until the company changes its ways and abandons its political agenda.

Last week, Caitie Rohrig started an online petition asking Jeni’s to “keep politics out of their ice cream.” The posting on Change.org, which has gathered 345 signatures so far, states “it appears their business is being used to support policies that are at odds with the beliefs Ohio families hold dear.”

“We propose that Jeni’s Ice Cream denounce the ‘Abortion Ice Cream Social’ event and stop their affiliation with political agendas that alienate families in the heart of Ohio,” the petition reads. “We request a return to focusing on what they do best—creating incredible ice creams that bring communities together.”

In a statement to The Daily Signal, Rohrig criticized the ice cream company for getting involved in divisive issues.

“As a mom, I never thought taking my kids for ice cream would become a political statement, but Jeni’s made it one by hosting an abortion ice cream social,” she said. “Jeni’s isn’t the first ice cream company to get into politics, but Ohioans are holding them accountable.”

The petition includes a screenshot of an advertisement from an April 30 event, a “Fund-a-Thon,” which was hosted at a Jeni’s location in Columbus and put on by the Abortion Fund of Ohio. According to the ad, “25% of all sales will directly support folks seeking abortion care in Ohio.”

The event sparked outrage across social media, with former state Rep. Jay Edwards, current Republican nominee for Ohio treasurer, sounding the alarm on X.

The Media Research Center’s Justine Brooke Murray also lambasted the ice cream company for its liberal politics, both in video and through written posts, and noted Rohrig’s petition.

The Abortion Fund of Ohio website states the organization “supports community members to access their human right to abortion care through financial assistance, practical support, case management, and connections to other critical resources.” It also discusses assisting minors with a judicial bypass to get an abortion without parental involvement.

The pro-abortion group, formerly called Women Have Options, also discusses LGBT issues on the site as it relates to abortion.

“Our legacy name, Women Have Options, played a role in the erasure and silencing of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming Ohioans. Language has significant power, and simply put: women are not the only people needing abortions. We changed our name to better represent the full spectrum of patients we serve. AFO is committed to continual improvement, including adapting our language & practices to combat gender-based oppression,” the website states.

Jeni’s Ice Creams describes itself as a “community-spirited company on a mission to make better ice creams and bring people together.”

“Using Direct Trade ingredients, employing a diverse team of people, working to improve our environmental and social impact—it’s all part of how we operate and an important part of our company culture,” the Jeni’s website also states.

Rohrig said she hopes to raise awareness of the company’s activism and convince Jeni’s to stick to making ice cream, not funding abortion.

“I started this petition because pro-life families have a voice, and we intend to use it. I encourage everyone appalled by the thought of their ice cream paying for an abortion to sign my petition today at Change.org,” she said.

The Daily Signal reached out to Jeni’s and the Abortion Fund of Ohio for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.