HERSHEY, Pa., Apr 28, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- The Board of Directors of Hershey Foods Corporation (NYSE: HSY) today declared quarterly cash dividends of $.395 on the Common Stock and $.3575 on the Class B Common Stock. The dividends are payable June 15, 2004, to stockholders of record May 25, 2004. It is the 298th consecutive regular cash dividend on the Common Stock, and the 79th consecutive regular cash dividend on the Class B Common Stock.

The cash dividends announced today were declared by the Board of Directors on the basis of the Common Stock and Class B Common Stock prior to the two-for-one stock split announced by the Board on April 22, 2004. The split will be effected in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend.

The stock split is applicable to stockholders of record on May 25, 2004. Hershey stockholders will receive one additional share for each share in their possession on the record date. The additional shares will be distributed on June 15, 2004.

SOURCE Hershey Foods Corporation

Christine Dugan, Hershey Foods Corporation, +1-717-508-3238

http://www.hersheys.com