SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 12, 2002
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HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-183 23-0691590
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
100 Crystal A Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (717) 534-6799
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Page 1 of 3 Pages
Exhibit Index - Page 3
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORT
Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure
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On December 12, 2002, Hershey Foods Corporation (the "Corporation") announced
that its Board of Directors has approved an authorization to acquire, from time
to time in open market or through privately negotiated transactions, up to $500
million of its Common Stock; that the authorization is expected to be completed
within approximately 12 months, subject to trading liquidity; that the
authorization will be funded through free cash flow and commercial paper; and
that shares of Common Stock acquired by the Company pursuant to the
authorization will be held as Treasury shares.
The Corporation also announced that it has contributed $150 million from free
cash flow to its domestic pension plans in order to improve the funded status of
the plans in view of the weak stock market performance this year.
A copy of the Company's press release announcing these actions is furnished
herewith as Exhibit 99.
SIGNATURE
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: December 12, 2002
HERSHEY FOODS CORPORATION
By /s/ Frank Cerminara
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Frank Cerminara
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
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Exhibit Index - Page 3
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. Description
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99 Hershey Foods Corporation Press Release dated
December 12, 2002
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Exhibit Index - Page 3