HERSHEY, Pa., and BUFFALO, N.Y., May 1, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Hershey Foods Corporation and SweetWorks, Inc. today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement for the sale of the SIXLETS(R) confectionery candy brand.

Included in the transaction, terms of which were not disclosed, are the rights to sell SIXLETS(R) branded products, under license. The sale will have no material impact on sales or ongoing earnings per share for Hershey Foods Corporation.

In signing the agreement, SweetWorks, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Philip Terranova said, "We are pleased to be acquiring the long-established and well- known SIXLETS(R) brand. Our sales team is excited about re-introducing the product to national sales brokers. We look forward to developing and growing the brand in both existing and new markets."

In January 2003, SweetWorks purchased the Ovation(R) chocolate brand from Hershey Foods, and will introduce new product packaging in May, at the All Candy Expo in Chicago.

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 HERSHEY(R)'S chocolate and chocolate with almonds bars, HERSHEY(R)'S KISSES(R) Brand chocolates, REESE'S(R) peanut butter cups, JOLLY RANCHER(R) and TWIZZLERS(R) candies, 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), BREATH SAVERS(R), and BUBBLE YUM(R).

SweetWorks, Inc. was founded in 2002 following the merger of three, long- established confectionery companies: Niagara Chocolates, Buffalo, New York, a leading fund-raising and specialty chocolate manufacturer; Whetstone Candy Company, St. Augustine, Florida, whose products include chocolate break apart oranges and patented chocolate toy combination products; and Oak Leaf Confections, Toronto, Canada, a leading manufacturer of ball gum and pressed candies. In addition to national retail sales, SweetWorks, Inc. provides contract-manufacturing services to other confectionery companies and is a leader in gum and chocolate manufacturing technology.

SOURCE Hershey Foods Corporation
Christine M. Dugan, Hershey Foods Corporation, +1-717-508-3238, or Jerry Tubbs, SweetWorks, Inc., +1-877-261-7887
http://www.hersheys.com