Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On September 2, 2008, The Hershey Company ("Company") announced that its Board of Directors ("Board") increased the size of the Board from nine to ten members and elected David L. Shedlarz a director, effective August 29, 2008. Mr. Shedlarz will serve on the Audit Committee.

Mr. Shedlarz will be compensated for his service on the Board in accordance with the Company's Directors' Compensation Plan. There are no transactions that require disclosure pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K as a result of the election of Mr. Shedlarz to the Board.

A copy of the Company's press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1.