HERSHEY CO — Earnings Release 2003

Oct 16, 2003

8-K 1 form8k_thirdqtr2003results.htm THIRD QUARTER 2003 RESULTS Current Report on Form 8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

October 16, 2003 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

Hershey Foods Corporation (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

1-183 (Commission File Number) 23-0691590 (IRS Employer Identification No.)

100 Crystal A Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (717) 534-6799

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INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORT

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Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

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(c) Exhibits

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99.1 Press Release dated October 16, 2003

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Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

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On October 16, 2003, Hershey Foods Corporation (the “Corporation”) issued a press release announcing sales and earnings for the third quarter of 2003. A copy of the Corporation’s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

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The information in this Current Report, including the exhibit, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

SIGNATURE

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 16, 2003

HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION

By: /s/Frank Cerminara Frank Cerminara Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No. Description

99.1 Hershey Foods Corporation Press Release dated October 16, 2003.

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