Hershey Foods (HSY)

Independence of Current Directors, Edward J. Kelly, III and Richard H. Lenny

Applying the categorical standards for independence, the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and rules of the SEC, the Board determined that the following Current Directors recommended for election at the annual meeting are independent: Robert F. Cavanaugh, Charles A. Davis, Arnold G. Langbo, James E. Nevels, Thomas J. Ridge, Charles B. Strauss, Kenneth L. Wolfe and LeRoy S. Zimmerman. The Board also determined that Edward J. Kelly, III was independent from the time he became a director on November 11, 2007 until his resignation on February 22, 2008. The Board determined that Mr. West is not independent because he is an

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executive officer of the Company and that Mr. Lenny was not independent from November 11, 2007 until his retirement on December 31, 2007 because he was an executive officer of the Company.

The Board determined that Messrs. Davis, Ridge and Strauss have no relationship with the Company other than their relationship as director and stockholder. Messrs. Cavanaugh, E. J. Kelly, III, Langbo, Nevels, Zimmerman and Wolfe have certain relationships with the Company, in addition to being directors and stockholders, that the Board considered but determined ultimately not to be material.

Robert F. Cavanaugh, James E. Nevels and LeRoy S. Zimmerman.  Messrs. Cavanaugh, Nevels and Zimmerman are independent members of the board of directors of Hershey Trust Company and the board of managers (governing body) of Milton Hershey School. Mr. Cavanaugh was initially recommended for nomination to our Board by the Milton Hershey School Trust in 2003. Messrs. Nevels and Zimmerman were elected to the Board on November 11, 2007 by the Milton Hershey School Trust acting by written consent. None of these individuals receive any compensation from The Hershey Company, from Hershey Trust Company or from Milton Hershey School other than compensation they receive in the ordinary course as board members of each of those entities. We do not expect these individuals to receive other forms of compensation from these entities in 2008. Hershey Trust Company and the Milton Hershey School Trust are stockholders of the Company whose holdings are described in greater detail beginning on page 35 of this proxy statement. Under SEC rules, Hershey Trust Company, the Milton Hershey School Trust and companies controlled by the Milton Hershey School Trust are considered affiliates of the Company. During 2007, we had a number of transactions with the Milton Hershey School Trust and companies owned by the Milton Hershey School Trust involving the purchase and sale of goods and services in the ordinary course of business. Messrs. Cavanaugh, Nevels and Zimmerman did not participate in Board decisions in connection with these transactions. We have outlined these transactions and transactions we contemplate for 2008 in greater detail in the section entitled “Certain Transactions and Relationships,” beginning on page 81 of this proxy statement.

Edward J. Kelly, III.  From March 2007 through June 2007, before he became a member of our Board, Mr. Kelly was a Vice Chairman of PNC Financial Services Group. PNC Financial Services Group and its affiliates provide banking services to the Company, including participation as one of ten lenders under our Five Year Credit Agreement. All transactions with PNC Financial Services Group and its affiliates have been in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect these banking services to change materially in 2008. In February 2008, shortly before his resignation from our Board, Mr. Kelly became President, Citi Alternative Investments, an alternative investments platform of Citigroup Inc. Citigroup Inc. and its affiliates provide commercial and investment banking services to the Company and is one of our key financial services providers. However, we do not currently utilize the services of Citi Alternative Investments and do not contemplate utilizing its services at any time during 2008. All of our transactions with Citigroup Inc. and its affiliates are in the ordinary course of business.

Arnold G. Langbo.  Mr. Langbo is a director of Weyerhaeuser Company. During 2007, we purchased packaging and shipping containers, such as corrugated boxes, from Weyerhaeuser Company, and Weyerhaeuser Company purchased our products for use in display modules manufactured by Weyerhaeuser. All sales and purchases were in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect these types of transactions or the amounts of payments to change materially in 2008.

Kenneth L. Wolfe.  Mr. Wolfe was formerly the Company’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He retired on January 1, 2002. As a retiree of the Company, Mr. Wolfe receives

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term life insurance, paid for by the Company, and Med Plus Medicare supplement coverage for him and his wife, the cost of which is shared by the Company and Mr. Wolfe. These benefits are provided solely as part of Mr. Wolfe’s retirement and are not conditioned on his performance of future services to the Company.