The Hershey Company - 10-Q quarterly report FY

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended   April 1, 2001

OR

For the transition period from ___________to__________

Commission file number:    1-183

HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
100 Crystal A Drive
Hershey, PA 17033


Registrant's telephone number: 717-534-6799

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   [ X ]      No   [   ]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock, $1 par value - 106,203,533 shares, as of April 30, 2001.   Class B Common Stock, $1 par value - 30,441,858 shares, as of April 30, 2001.

Exhibit Index - Page 16

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands except per share amounts)For the Three Months Ended-------------------------- April 1, April 2, 2001 2000-------- --------Net Sales $ 1,080,281 $ 993,115
------------ ------------Costs and Expenses:Cost of sales 637,506 605,097
Selling, marketing and administrative 298,619 253,800
------------ ------------
Total costs and expenses 936,125 858,897
------------ ------------Income before Interest and Income Taxes 144,156 134,218
Interest expense, net 17,297 17,530
------------ ------------Income before Income Taxes 126,859 116,688
Provision for income taxes 47,953 45,508
------------ ------------Net Income  $ 78,906 $ 71,180
============ ============Net Income Per Share-Basic $ .58 $ .51
============ ============Net Income Per Share-Diluted  $ .57 $ .51
============ ============Average Shares Outstanding-Basic 136,750 138,455
============ ============Average Shares Outstanding-Diluted  138,227 139,216
============ ============Cash Dividends Paid per Share:Common Stock $ .2800 $ .2600
============ ============
Class B Common Stock $ .2525 $ .2350
============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
APRIL 1, 2001 AND DECEMBER 31, 2000
(in thousands of dollars)ASSETS  2001 2000--------- --------Current Assets:Cash and cash equivalents $ 26,254 $ 31,969
Accounts receivable - trade 308,519 379,680
Inventories 624,805 605,173
Deferred income taxes 76,463 76,136
Prepaid expenses and other 84,261 202,390
------------- --------------
Total current assets 1,120,302 1,295,348
------------- --------------Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost 2,787,063 2,764,845
Less-accumulated depreciation and amortization (1,213,050) (1,179,457)
------------- --------------
Net property, plant and equipment 1,574,013 1,585,388
------------- --------------Intangibles Resulting from Business
Acquisitions, net  466,758 474,448Other Assets 140,330 92,580
------------- --------------
Total assets $ 3,301,403 $ 3,447,764
============= ==============LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYCurrent Liabilities:Accounts payable $ 147,936 $ 149,232
Accrued liabilities 330,487 358,067
Accrued income taxes 44,620 1,479
Short-term debt 49,599 257,594
Current portion of long-term debt 634 529
------------- --------------
Total current liabilities 573,276 766,901Long-term Debt  877,510 877,654Other Long-term Liabilities 322,570 327,674Deferred Income Taxes 297,224 300,499
------------- --------------
Total liabilities 2,070,580 2,272,728
------------- --------------Stockholders' Equity:Preferred Stock, shares issued:
none in 2001 and 2000 --- ---
Common Stock, shares issued:
149,509,014 in 2001 and 2000 149,508 149,508
Class B Common Stock, shares issued:
30,441,858 in 2001 and 2000 30,442 30,442
Additional paid-in capital 8,215 13,124
Unearned ESOP compensation (18,362) (19,161)
Retained earnings 2,744,455 2,702,927
Treasury-Common Stock shares at cost:
43,223,356 in 2001 and 43,669,284 in 2000 (1,620,366) (1,645,088)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (63,069) (56,716)
------------- --------------
Total stockholders' equity 1,230,823 1,175,036
------------- --------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 3,301,403 $ 3,447,764
============= ==============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.

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 HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands of dollars)For the Three Months Ended--------------------------April 1, April 2,
2001 2000-------- --------Cash Flow Provided from (Used by)
Operating ActivitiesNet Income $ 78,906 $ 71,180
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
Provided from Operations:
Depreciation and amortization 46,875 43,203
Deferred income taxes (4,141) (11,259)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable - trade 71,161 39,285
Inventories (45,432) (16,572)
Accounts payable (1,296) (47,976)
Other assets and liabilities 104,808 14,975
------------ ------------
Net Cash Flows Provided from Operating Activities 250,881 92,836
------------ ------------Cash Flows Provided from (Used by)
Investing ActivitiesCapital additions (32,032) (30,045)
Capitalized software additions (1,125) (1,652)
Other, net 11,079 (5,398)
------------ ------------
Net Cash Flows (Used by) Investing Activities (22,078) (37,095)
------------ ------------Cash Flows Provided from (Used by)
Financing ActivitiesNet (decrease) in short-term debt (207,995) (34,635)
Long-term borrowings --- 102
Repayment of long-term debt (76) (192)
Cash dividends paid (37,378) (35,182)
Exercise of stock options 15,134 658
Incentive plan transactions (4,203) (2,670)
Repurchase of Common Stock --- (55,342)
------------ ------------
Net Cash Flows (Used by) Financing Activities (234,518) (127,261)
------------ ------------
(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents (5,715) (71,520)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period 31,969 118,078
------------ ------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period $ 26,254 $ 46,558
============ ============
========================================================================================
Interest Paid $ 30,109 $ 29,613
============ ============
Income Taxes Paid $ 1,852 $ 58,484
============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended--------------------------April 1, 2001 April 2, 2000------------- -------------(in thousands of dollars)Interest expense $ 18,541 $ 18,946 $
Interest income (972) (1,416)
Capitalized interest (272) ---
---------- ----------
Interest expense, net $ 17,297 $ 17,530 $
========== ==========

3. NET INCOME PER SHARE
   
   A total of 43,223,356 shares were held as Treasury Stock as of April 1, 2001.
   
   In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128“  Earnings Per Share,”  Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share are computed based on the weighted-average number of shares of the Common Stock and the Class B Stock outstanding as follows:

For the Three Months Ended--------------------------April 1, 2001 April 2, 2000------------- -------------
(in thousands of dollars except
per share amounts)Net income $ 78,906 $ 71,180
======== =========
Weighted-average shares-basic 136,750 138,455
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options 1,450 752
Performance and restricted stock units 27 9
-------- ---------
Weighted-average shares - diluted 138,227 139,216
======== =========
Net income per share - basic $ 0.58 $ 0.51
======== =========
Net income per share-diluted $ 0.57 $ 0.51
======== =========

Employee stock options for 1,750,100 shares and 5,534,550 shares were anti-dilutive and were excluded from the earnings per share calculation for the three months ended April 1, 2001 and April 2, 2000, respectively.

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4. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
   
   In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “ Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”  (SFAS No. 133). Subsequently, the FASB issued Statement No. 137, “ Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”   and Statement No. 138, “ Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.”   SFAS No. 133, as amended, establishes accounting and reporting standards requiring that every derivative instrument be recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. SFAS No. 133 requires that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged item in the income statement, to the extent effective, and requires that a company must formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting.
   
   The Corporation adopted SFAS No. 133 as of January 1, 2001. The adoption of SFAS No. 133 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Corporation's results of operations and financial position. However, as discussed in the following paragraphs, SFAS No. 133 could increase volatility in other comprehensive income and involve certain changes in the Corporation's business practices.
   
   SFAS No. 133, as amended, provides that the effective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument be reported as a component of other comprehensive income and be reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the transaction affects earnings. The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, must be recognized currently in earnings. All derivative instruments currently utilized by the Corporation are designated as cash flow hedges.
   
   Objectives, Strategies and Accounting Policies Associated with Derivative Instruments
   
   The Corporation utilizes certain derivative instruments, including interest rate swap agreements, foreign currency forward exchange contracts and commodity futures contracts, to manage variability in cash flows associated with interest rate, currency exchange rate and commodity market price risk exposures. The interest rate swaps and foreign currency contracts are entered into for periods consistent with related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. Commodity futures contracts are entered into for varying periods and are intended and effective as hedges of market price risks associated with the purchase of raw materials for anticipated manufacturing requirements. If it is probable that hedged forecasted transactions will not occur either by the end of the originally specified time period or within an additional two-month period of time, derivative gains and losses reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet are immediately reclassified into earnings. Gains and losses on terminated derivatives designated as hedges are accounted for as part of the originally hedged transaction. Gains and losses on derivatives designated as hedges of items that mature or are sold or terminated, are recognized in income in the same period as the originally hedged transaction was anticipated to affect earnings. The Corporation utilizes derivative instruments as cash flow hedges and does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading purposes. In entering into these contracts, the Corporation has assumed the risk that might arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The Corporation does not expect any losses as a result of counterparty defaults.
   
   Interest Rate Swap Agreements
   
   In order to minimize its financing costs and to manage interest rate exposure, the Corporation, from time to time, enters into interest rate swap agreements. In February 2001, the Corporation entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert interest-rate-contingent rental payments on certain operating leases from a variable to a fixed rate. Rental payments on operating leases associated with the financing of construction of a warehouse and distribution facility near Hershey, Pennsylvania for $61.7 million and the purchase of a warehouse and distribution facility near Atlanta, Georgia for $18.2 million are variable based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Such contingent operating lease rental payments are forecasted transactions as defined by SFAS No. 133, as amended.
   
   

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   ---

   
   The interest swap agreements effectively convert the interest-rate-contingent rental payments on the operating leases from LIBOR to a fixed rate of 6.1%. The interest rate swap agreements qualify as cash flow hedges and the notional amounts, interest rates and terms of the swap agreements are consistent with the underlying operating lease agreements they are intended to hedge and, therefore, there is no hedge ineffectiveness. Gains or losses on the interest rate swap agreements are included in other comprehensive income and are recognized in cost of sales as part of shipping and distribution expense in the same period as the hedged rental payments affect earnings.
   
   The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements was determined based upon the quoted market price for the same or similar financial instruments and was included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Other Long-term Liabilities, with the offset reflected in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net of income taxes. The Corporation’s risk related to the interest rate swap agreements is limited to the cost of replacing the agreements at prevailing market rates.
   
   Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
   
   The Corporation enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge transactions primarily related to firm commitments to purchase equipment, certain raw materials and finished goods denominated in foreign currencies, and to hedge payment of intercompany transactions with its non-domestic subsidiaries. These contracts reduce currency risk from exchange rate movements. Foreign currency price risks are hedged generally for periods from 3 to 24 months.
   
   Foreign exchange forward contracts are intended and effective as hedges of firm, identifiable, foreign currency commitments. Since there is a direct relationship between the foreign currency derivatives and the foreign currency denomination of the transactions, foreign currency derivatives are highly effective in hedging cash flows related to transactions denominated in the corresponding foreign currencies. These contracts meet the criteria for cash flow hedge accounting treatment and, accordingly, gains or losses are included in other comprehensive income and are recognized in cost of sales or selling, marketing and administrative expense in the same period that the hedged items affect earnings.
   
   The fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts was estimated by obtaining quotes for future contracts with similar terms, adjusted where necessary for maturity differences, and was included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as Accrued Liabilities with the offset reflected in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net of income taxes.
   
   Commodities Futures Contracts
   
   In connection with the purchasing of cocoa, sugar, corn sweeteners, natural gas and certain dairy products for anticipated manufacturing requirements, the Corporation enters into commodities futures contracts as deemed appropriate to reduce the effect of price fluctuations. Commodity price risks are hedged generally for periods from 3 to 24 months. Commodities futures contracts meet the hedge criteria and are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, gains and losses are included in other comprehensive income and are recognized ratably in cost of sales in the same period that the hedged raw material manufacturing requirements are recorded in cost of sales.
   
   In order to qualify as a hedge of commodity price risk, it must be demonstrated that the changes in fair value of the commodities futures contracts are highly effective in hedging price risks associated with commodity purchases for manufacturing requirements. The assessment of hedge effectiveness for commodities futures is performed on a quarterly basis by calculating the change in switch values relative to open commodities futures contracts being held and the number of futures contracts needed to price raw material purchases for anticipated manufacturing requirements. Effectiveness is also monitored by tracking changes in basis differentials as discussed below. The prices of commodities futures contracts reflect delivery to the same locations where the Corporation takes delivery of the physical commodities and, therefore, there is no ineffectiveness resulting from differences in location between the derivative and the hedged item. Commodities futures contracts have been deemed to be highly effective in hedging price risks associated with corresponding raw material purchases for manufacturing requirements.
   
   

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   ---

   
   Because of the rollover strategy used for commodities futures contracts, which is required by futures market conditions, some ineffectiveness may result in hedging forecasted manufacturing requirements as futures contracts are switched from nearby contract positions to contract positions in which they are required to fix the price of raw material purchases for manufacturing requirements. Hedge ineffectiveness may also result from variability in basis differentials associated with the purchase of raw materials for manufacturing requirements. Hedge ineffectiveness is measured on a quarterly basis and the ineffective portion of gains or losses on commodities futures is recorded currently in cost of sales in accordance with SFAS No. 133, as amended.
   
   Exchange traded futures contracts are used to fix the price of physical forward purchase contracts. Cash transfers reflecting changes in the value of futures contracts are made on a daily basis and are included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net of income taxes, on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Such cash transfers will be offset by higher or lower cash requirements for payment of invoice prices of raw materials and energy requirements in the future. Futures contracts being held in excess of the amount required to fix the price of unpriced physical forward contracts are effective as hedges of anticipated manufacturing requirements for each commodity. Physical commodity forward purchase contracts meet the SFAS No. 133 definition of “normal purchases and sales” and therefore are not considered derivative instruments.
   
   
5. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
   
   Comprehensive income consisted of the following:




For the Three Months Ended--------------------------April 1, 2001 April 2, 2000------------- --------------(in thousands of dollars)Net income $ 78,906 $ 71,180
----------- ---------
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments (7,243) 606
Gains on cash flow hedging derivatives,
net of a tax provision of $40,285 66,291 ---
Add: Reclassification adjustments,
net of a tax provision of $2,570 4,230 ---
----------- ---------
Other comprehensive income 63,278 606
----------- ---------
Comprehensive income $ 142,184 $ 71,786
=========== =========

Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income to income, for gains or losses on cash flow hedging derivatives, were reflected in cost of sales. The amount of gains on cash flow hedging derivatives recognized in cost of sales as a result of hedge ineffectiveness was approximately $.8 million before tax. No gains or losses were reclassified immediately from accumulated other comprehensive income into income as a result of the discontinuance of a hedge because it became probable that a hedged forecasted transaction would not occur. There were no components of gains or losses on cash flow hedging derivatives that were recognized immediately in income because such components were excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

On the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of April 1, 2001, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss of $63.1 million, net of income taxes, principally reflected foreign currency translation adjustments. The amount of accumulated other comprehensive gains from cash flow hedging derivatives as of April 1, 2001 was $.9 million, net of income taxes. As of April 1, 2001, the amount of losses on cash flow hedging derivatives, including foreign exchange forward contracts, interest rate swap agreements and commodities futures contracts, expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next twelve months was approximately $10.1 million after tax.



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---



6. INVENTORIES
   
   The majority of inventories are valued under the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. The remaining inventories are stated at the lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market. Inventories were as follows:

April 1, 2001 December 31, 2000(in thousands of dollars)Raw materials $ 272,700 $ 263,658
Goods in process 47,028 47,866
Finished goods 334,312 338,749
------------ ------------
Inventories at FIFO 654,040 650,273
Adjustment to LIFO (29,235) (45,100)
------------ ------------
Total inventories $ 624,805 $ 605,173
============ ============

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Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Results of Operations - First Quarter 2001 vs. First Quarter 2000

Consolidated net sales for the first quarter increased from $993.1 million in 2000 to $1,080.3 million in 2001, an increase of 9% from the prior year. The higher sales primarily reflected incremental sales from the newly acquired mint and gum businesses and from the introduction of new confectionery products.

The consolidated gross margin increased from 39.1% in 2000 to 41.0% in 2001. The increase in gross margin primarily reflected decreased costs for freight, distribution and warehousing, and certain major raw materials, primarily cocoa. Selling, marketing and administrative expenses increased by 18% in 2001, primarily reflecting marketing and selling expenditures for the mint and gum businesses, and increased marketing and selling expenditures for core confectionery brands. Selling, marketing and administrative costs in 2000 included a one-time gain of $7.3 million arising from the sale of certain corporate aircraft.

Net interest expense in the first quarter of 2001 was $.2 million less than the comparable period of 2000.

Net income for the first quarter was $78.9 million compared to $71.2 million in 2000, and net income per share - diluted was $.57 per share compared to $.51 per share in the prior year. Prior year net income included an after-tax gain of $4.5 million, or $0.03 per share - diluted, on the sale of certain corporate aircraft.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically, the Corporation's major source of financing has been cash generated from operations. Domestic seasonal working capital needs, which typically peak during the summer months, generally have been met by issuing commercial paper. During the first quarter of 2001, the Corporation’s cash and cash equivalents decreased by $5.7 million. Cash provided from operations was sufficient to reduce short-term debt by $208.0 million, fund a $75.0 million contribution to the Corporation’s domestic pension plans, and pay cash dividends of $37.4 million. Changes in cash flows provided from (used by) inventories and other assets and liabilities exclude the impact of adjustments required by the adoption of SFAS No. 133. Cash provided from other assets and liabilities of $104.8 million, primarily reflected commodities transactions.

The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.0:1 as of April 1, 2001, and 1.7:1 as of December 31, 2000. The Corporation’s capitalization ratio (total short-term and long-term debt as a percent of stockholders’ equity, short-term and long-term debt) was 43% as of April 1, 2001, and 49% as of December 31, 2000.

In February 2001, the Corporation made a $75.0 million contribution to its domestic pension plans to improve the funded status and reduce future expenses.

Safe Harbor Statement

The nature of the Corporation's operations and the environment in which it operates subject it to changing economic, competitive, regulatory and technological conditions, risks and uncertainties. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Corporation notes the following factors which, among others, could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, expectations and assumptions expressed or implied herein. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this document may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential,” among others. Factors which could cause results to differ include, but are not limited to: changes in the confectionery and grocery business environment, including actions of competitors and changes in consumer preferences; changes in governmental laws and regulations, including taxes; market demand for new and existing products; changes in raw material costs; and the Corporation’s ability to implement improvements and to reduce costs associated with the Corporation’s distribution operations.

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Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

The potential loss in fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts and interest rate swap agreements resulting from a hypothetical near-term adverse change in market rates of ten percent was not material as of April 1, 2001. The market risk resulting from a hypothetical adverse market price movement of ten percent associated with the estimated average fair value of net commodity positions decreased from $3.0 million as of December 31, 2000, to $1.5 million as of April 1, 2001. Market risk represents 10% of the estimated average fair value of net commodity positions at four dates prior to the end of each period.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Items 2, 3 and 5 have been omitted as not applicable.

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings

In January 1999, the Corporation received a Notice of Proposed Deficiency (Notice) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) related to the years 1989 through 1996. The Notice pertained to the Corporate Owned Life Insurance (COLI) program which was implemented by the Corporation in 1989. The IRS disallowed the interest expense deductions associated with the underlying life insurance policies. The total deficiency of $61.2 million, including interest, was paid to the IRS in September 2000 to eliminate further accruing of interest. The Corporation may be subject to additional assessments for federal taxes and interest for years 1997 and 1998 and for state taxes and interest for 1989 through 1998. The Corporation believes that it has fully complied with tax law as it relates to its COLI program, has filed for the refund of amounts paid and will continue to seek favorable resolution of this matter. The Corporation has no other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business.

Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Hershey Foods Corporation's Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on April 24, 2001. The following directors were elected by the holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting together without regard to class:

Name Votes For Votes Withheld
---- --------- --------------
C. McCollister Evarts, M.D. 395,776,041 4,494,642
J. Robert Hillier 396,268,752 4,001,931
Bonnie G. Hill 396,379,847 3,890,836
John C. Jamison 396,255,655 4,015,028
Richard H. Lenny 396,424,465 3,846,218
John M. Pietruski 393,713,382 6,557,301
Kenneth L. Wolfe 386,000,560 14,270,123

Name Votes For Votes Withheld
---- --------- --------------
Robert H. Campbell 92,739,620 3,986,283
Mackey J. McDonald 92,735,178 3,990,725

Holders of the Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock voting together approved the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent auditors for 2001. Stockholders cast 395,577,794 votes FOR the appointment, 4,159,758 votes AGAINST the appointment and ABSTAINED from casting 533,131 votes on the appointment of accountants.

Holders of the Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock voting together rejected the proposal requesting that a review and report of the Corporation’s sales of genetically engineered (GE) food products be undertaken and compiled by the Board of Directors, with the goal of establishing an action plan and timeline to eliminate GE ingredients from the Corporation’s products within 24 months. Stockholders cast 373,701,967 AGAINST the proposal, 8,503,083 votes FOR the proposal and ABSTAINED from casting 4,081,857 votes on the proposal.

No other matters were submitted for stockholder action.

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Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

a)    Exhibits

      The following items are attached and incorporated herein by reference:

       Exhibit 10.1 - Key Employee Incentive Plan, as amended by the Corporation’s Board of Directors on February 6, 2001.

       Exhibit 10.2 - Executive Employment Agreement between Hershey Foods Corporation and Richard H. Lenny, dated March 12, 2001.

        Exhibit 12 - Statement showing computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the quarters ended April 1, 2001 and April 2, 2000.

b)   Reports on Form 8-K

      A report on Form 8-K was filed March 12, 2001 announcing that Richard H. Lenny had been elected President and Chief Executive Officer, and that Kenneth L. Wolfe would continue in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors for a period of up to one year.

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SIGNATURESPursuant 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. HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
(Registrant)Date May 10, 2001 /s/ Frank Cerminara
------------ ----------------------
Frank Cerminara
Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date May 10, 2001 /s/ David W. Tacka
------------ -----------------------
David W. Tacka
Vice President, Corporate Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

     Exhibit 10.1        Key Employee Incentive Plan

     Exhibit 10.2        Executive Employment Agreement

     Exhibit 12           Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

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