Hershey To Source Enough Certified Sustainable Cocoa To Produce Four Brands In 2016

HERSHEY, PA -- Hershey Co. said it will source enough certified and sustainable cocoa in 2016 to surpass the amount required for the global production of four of its most popular chocolate brands. This will provide the chocolate-maker with enough sustainable cocoa to produce Hershey's, Kisses, Kit Kat (United States only) and Brookside. Hershey has also pledged that it will source enough certified and sustainable cocoa to add the global Reese's brand and others to the first four brands in 2017.

Earlier this year, Hershey set a new target to source at least 50% of its global cocoa supply from certified and sustainable sources by the end of 2015, a year ahead of its original schedule. It has committed to source 100% certified and sustainable cocoa by 2020.

A key part of the candy company's sustainability initiatives is a farmer training program in West Africa, where about two-thirds of the world's cocoa is grown. During the past two years, Hershey has expanded the "Learn to Grow" program in Ghana, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire, where farmers receive training on agricultural, social, environmental and business practices. By 2019, Hershey expects to train more than 60,000 West African cocoa farmers through Learn to Grow.

Hershey's sustainable cocoa programs are aligned with Cocoa Action, the broader cocoa industry efforts to improve productivity and community livelihoods across the cocoa-growing sector in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.