US confectionery giant Hershey Foods has declared quarterly dividends of $.395 on the Common Stock and $.3575 on the Class B Common Stock. The dividends are payable 15 December 2003 to stockholders of record 25 November 2003.

It is the 296th consecutive regular dividend on the Common Stock, and the 77th consecutive regular dividend on the Class B Common Stock.

The company's financial announcement comes after Robert Cavanaugh, managing director of DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners, was elected to the Hershey Foods board of directors, effective of yesterday.

"I'm pleased to have someone of Bob's caliber join the Hershey Foods board of directors," said Richard Lenny, chairman and president of Hershey Foods. "His expertise and guidance will be invaluable as we continue implementing our value-enhancing strategy."

Hershey Foods is the leading North American manufacturer of chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery and chocolate-related grocery products. Some of the company's most popular products include Hershey's chocolate and chocolate with almonds bars, Hershey's Kisses and Reese's peanut butter cups.