Everything we do is rooted in a passion for goodness – a passion that started with our founder, Milton Hershey. And, really, it just started with a few simple ideas: providing affordable chocolate, a progressive workplace, and living out a dedication to helping kids in need. In working to bring those ideas to life, we’ve had the opportunity to bring goodness to the world in so many ways.
We started with humble roots and a simple five-cent Hershey’s bar. Now, we make more than 80 brands that are enjoyed around the world, including such iconic favorites as Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars, Hershey’s Kisses Chocolates, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, as well as delicious snacks like Krave and Brookside Bars. And we’re spreading the goodness to more people than ever, with our beloved brands gaining popularity in Europe, South America and Asia.
While our home is in the farmlands of central Pennsylvania, we continue to expand manufacturing and sales locations around the world, so that everyone can share the beloved brands and values that have defined our company for more than a century.
We have 21,000 remarkable employees spread across the world, and we all share a unique passion. Together, we’re driven to use the success of our company to give back to the communities we live in and do business with. Whether packing meals during our annual Good to Give Back Week or traveling to Ghana to build a factory that produces protein supplements for local schools, our people go the extra mile to help kids in need. In fact, we're a leader in providing technology and education to cocoa communities in West Africa, partnering with our suppliers and like-minded organizations to improve the lives of farmers and their families.
120 years ago, people simply knew “Hershey’s” as a name stamped on a chocolate bar. Since then, it’s become a name – and a brand – they’ve fallen in love with. Today, the success we enjoy from creating our delicious treats and snacks serves as a foundation for helping build better lives and bright futures for thousands of young kids.
We know that children have the best opportunity to thrive when they have the nourishment to help them focus on their studies rather than their stomachs. Nourishing Minds is a program that draws on the creativity, skills and passion of Hershey employees around the world to provide children with basic nutrition to build bright futures.
We're starting our work in Ghana. Hershey employees helped develop Vivi, a peanut-based protein supplement that will be distributed to more than 50,000 children in Ghana by 2016. We look forward to future opportunities for industry collaboration in countries across the world.
Our people share a deep connection to the company and our brands, and we also share a unique sense of integrity, commitment and dedication to making a difference. This marriage of purposes forms the values of our diverse global team.