Included in the transaction, terms of which were not disclosed, were HEIDE(R), JUJYFRUITS(R), WUNDERBEANS(R) and AMAZIN' FRUIT(R) trademarked confectionery brands, as well as the rights to sell CHUCKLES(R) branded products, under license. The sale will have no material impact on sales or ongoing earnings per share for Hershey Foods Corporation.

Hershey Foods Corporation (NYSE: HSY) is the leading North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery and chocolate-related grocery products; some of the company's most popular products include REESE'S(R) peanut butter cups, HERSHEY(R)'S chocolate and chocolate with almonds bars, HERSHEY(R)'S KISSES(R) chocolates, KIT KAT(R) wafer bars, TWIZZLERS(R) candy, HERSHEY(R)'S cocoa and HERSHEY(R)'S syrup. The company also is a market leader in the gum and mint category with such well- known brands as ICE BREAKERS(R), CARE FREE(R) chewing gum and mints and BUBBLE YUM(R) bubble gum.

Farley's & Sathers Candy Company, Inc., a portfolio company of Catterton Partners, is a manufacturer and marketer of Farley's and Sathers brand candies. The company markets the Farley's brand nationwide to food, drug and mass merchandiser retail outlets, and the Sathers brand to, among others, the convenience store channel. Farley's & Sathers Candy Company, Inc., began operations on February 15, 2002, through its acquisition of certain assets of Kraft Foods North America, Inc.

With over $500 million in equity capital, Catterton Partners is one of the largest private equity firms in the U.S., focusing on providing growth equity capital in consumer industries.

Investments completed by Catterton include, among others: Odwalla/Fresh Samantha, Baja Fresh, Build-a-Bear Workshops, Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc., Case Logic and P.F. Chang's China Bistro. For more information regarding Catterton Partners, please visit www.cpequity.com.

SOURCE Hershey Foods Corporation

CONTACT: Christine M. Dugan of Hershey Foods, +1-717-534-7631, or Ray Hehman of Farley's & Sathers, +1-415-421-4141 URL: http://www.cpequity.com http://www.hersheys.com http://www.prnewswire.com