HERSHEY, Pa., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Richard H. Lenny, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hershey Foods Corporation (NYSE: HSY), today announced that Milton T. Matthews, Vice President, Chief Customer Officer, will retire in mid-2004. Effective December 1, 2002, as part of an orderly transition process, Matthews will report to David J. West, who has been named Senior Vice President, Sales.

In making the announcement, Lenny said, "Milt Matthews is the consummate team player. Over his 30-year career, Milt's devotion to our brands, customers and people across the organization has been without equal. Milt has built and nurtured a premier confectionery selling organization that's clearly respected throughout the food industry."

Matthews joined Hershey Foods as a Sales Representative in 1972. In 1977, he was promoted to Manager, Sales Planning and, in 1981, to Director, Sales Development. He was named Vice President-Sales, Hershey Chocolate USA in 1989 and, in 1999, was promoted to Vice President, U.S. Sales, Hershey Foods Corporation. He was named Vice President, Chief Customer Officer, in June 2001. Prior to joining Hershey Foods, Matthews was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps.

A native of Lakewood, N.J., Matthews received a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland. He serves on the Dean's Board of Visitors, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland and the American Wholesale Marketers Association Board of Directors.

SOURCE Hershey Foods Corporation

CONTACT: Christine Dugan of Hershey Foods, +1-717-508-3238/