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CONTACTS: Anna Lingeris Jennifer Nau JSH&A Public Relations 717.534.4874 630.932.7987 [email protected] [email protected]

THE HERSHEY COMPANY SPRINGS INTO THE 2012 EASTER SEASON WITH NEW ITEMS IN FESTIVE COLORS AND SHAPES ALONG WITH FAVORITE CLASSICS

HERSHEY, Pa., February 22, 2012 – From coloring eggs for the annual egg hunt to filling baskets to the brim with delectable goodies, Easter wouldn’t be the same without a variety of sweet treats from The Hershey Company. To help fill up your Easter basket this year, Hershey’s is offering new items such as Hershey®’s Milk and Cookies ‘N’ Creme® Drops specially decorated with spring shapes including an Easter egg, flower and butterfly, Reese’s® and Peanut Butter Bunny and ® Sours Bunny Gummies. With these delicious treats, it will be a breeze to carry on the tradition of creating colorful and tasty baskets.

Eggs Take Top Spot This Easter With more than 164 million ® Creme Eggs® made in 2011, it comes as no surprise that this is a favored treat to include in loved ones’ Easter baskets. The newest addition to the Cadbury line is the Cadbury Chocolate Creme Egg Candy. The outer shell is made from Cadbury's Milk Chocolate, similar to the Candy shell. The inside of the egg is a thick, rich soft chocolate creme center certain to delight every “bunny’s” taste buds. Additional selections of Hershey’s egg-shaped treats include: • Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs • Hershey’s Solid Milk Chocolate Eggs • ® Robin Eggs® • Cadbury ® • Egg Hunt Favorites Non-Chocolate Filled Egg Assortment with Jolly Rancher , ® Pull ‘N Peel® Candy, Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans and Jolly Rancher Fruit Chews

Chocolate Bunnies Are Still a Fun and Favorite Treat What part of your chocolate Easter bunny do you eat first? If you said the ears, you join 76 percent of people.* Take your pick of where to start with Hershey’s Solid Milk Chocolate Snapsy™ Bunny. Snapsy breaks apart into neat, perfect-sized pieces like a classic Hershey’s – so sharing is easy! Or, try

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the new Reese’s Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bunny which features the perfect combination of milk chocolate filled with creamy Reese’s peanut butter. Other Hershey’s chocolate bunnies include: • Hershey’s Speedy Bunny® Solid Milk Chocolate • Cadbury Solid Milk Chocolate Bunny

Creative and Festive Ideas from Hershey Hershey’s treats are great for much more than tasting. In fact, Hershey’s may have outdone the Easter Bunny himself with their gifting and crafting ideas. Deck out any door with the ultimate Easter wreath created with colorful Hershey’s Solid Milk Chocolate Eggs. Or, try dressing up the Easter table with Hershey’s Pinwheel Party Favors centered with festively wrapped Hershey’s Kisses® Brand Milk or miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups at each place setting. Finally, finish off your Easter table with an edible flower bouquet made with favorite, individually wrapped Hershey’s treats that can be shared if there’s room after the big meal!

For additional information about Hershey’s Easter products, as well as unique basket ideas, homemade crafts, games and delicious new Easter recipes visit CelebratewithHersheys.com.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and . Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and more than 12,000 employees. With revenues of nearly $6 billion, Hershey offers confectionery products under more than 25 brand names, including such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark and Hershey's Extra Dark, , Twizzlers, and Ice Breakers. Hershey also is a leader in the premium and artisan chocolate segments, with such brands as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba, offered through the Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary. The company is focused on growing its presence in key international markets such as China and Mexico while continuing to build its competitive advantage in the and Canada.

For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making a positive difference in the communities where its employees live, work and do business. Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of the company’s global business strategy, which includes goals and priorities focused on fair and ethical business dealings, environmental stewardship, fostering a desirable workplace for employees, and positively impacting society and local communities. , established in 1909 by the company's founder and administered by , provides a quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. Students of Milton Hershey School are direct beneficiaries of The Hershey Company's success.

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* National Confectioners Association