hershey HSY_Letter_2004

This document is Hershey Foods Corporation's 2003 annual report and proxy statement to shareholders. It discusses Hershey's financial performance in 2003, including 13% earnings per share growth and continued gross margin expansion. It outlines the company's strategy of investing in core brands and expanding into snack market adjacencies. Key initiatives included restructuring the US sales force, creating a US Snack Group, and launching new better-for-you snack products. The report also discusses governance improvements and leadership changes on the board and in management.