Get Top Marks With Healthy Snacks for Children From HERSHEY’S Milk!

DALLAS, Jul 30, 2002 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — As the Back-to-School season
approaches, parents are flocking to the store in search of new clothes, school
supplies, and after-school snacks. Sure, new clothes and a cool backpack make
school more fun for kids, but parents can get back to the basics by promoting
school success through a well-balanced diet for children — one that includes
Hershey’s Milk.

Calcium is the single nutrient most likely to be missing from the American diet,
and the government has identified low calcium intake as one of the priority
nutritional problems in the United States, according to the National Institutes
of Health.

Start your child’s day off right with a healthy breakfast!

In order to reduce health risks associated with low calcium intake, children
should get into the routine of eating a nutritious breakfast, the most important
meal of the day. Research from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
suggests that not having breakfast can affect children’s intellectual
performance, making the simple act of drinking a glass of milk worthwhile in the
development of strong bones and healthy teeth. By consuming enough calcium now,
kids can lower their risk of developing osteoporosis and fragile bones later in
life.

“In an effort to address low calcium intake, Morningstar Foods offers consumers
a solution — Hershey’s Milks with 67 percent more calcium,” said Toby Purdy,
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. “Hershey’s
MilkShakes are also a fun way for moms to serve up a good source of calcium.”

Kids enjoy fun foods that taste great. So why not serve up flavored milk for
breakfast? Strawberry and chocolate milks are very popular with kids and provide
higher calcium and eight essential nutrients needed to optimize calcium intake,
such as Vitamin D and protein.

A recent study from the University of Vermont indicates that children (ages 5 to
11) and adolescents (ages 12 to 17) who drink flavored milk, despite the
perception that flavored milk is not a healthy option, reduce the intake of
added sugars and total fat.

Wherever you are, grab a milk and go!

HERSHEY’S 2% Reduced Fat Chocolate Milk, HERSHEY’S 2% Reduced Fat Strawberry
Milk and HERSHEY’S Fat Free Chocolate Milk are available in re-sealable
single-serve plastic bottles. Shaped in curves for easy gripping access, the
single serve milks are perfect for ‘on the go’ access. In 2000, Hershey Foods
Corporation entered into a licensing agreement with Morningstar Foods to develop
and market HERSHEY’S Milk and HERSHEY’S MilkShake as the first company to
manufacture, sell and distribute HERSHEY’S brand name dairy products nationally.

About Morningstar Foods Inc.

Morningstar Foods Inc. is a subsidiary of Dean Foods Company (NYSE: DF), one of
the nation’s leading food and beverage companies. Morningstar Foods produces
branded value-added and private label extended shelf life flavored and single
serve milk, soymilk, lactose-free milk, sour cream, cottage cheese, dips, salad
dressings, yogurt, egg substitute, half-and-half, coffee creamers, aerosol and
pre-whip topping.

Morningstar Foods’ nationally branded products include International Delight(R)
coffee creamers, Marie’s(R) dip and salad dressings, Dean Dips, Dean Dips for
One(TM), Mocha Mix(R) non-dairy coffee creamer, Naturally Yours(TM) sour cream,
Second Nature(R) eggs, Sun Soy(R) soymilk and Dairy Ease(R) lactose-free milks.
Products produced under licensed brands include Hershey(R)’s milks, Folgers(R)
Jakada(TM) chilled coffee beverage, Farm Rich(R) coffee creamers, and Coffee
Rich(R) coffee creamers.

About Hershey Foods Corporation

Hershey Foods Corporation (NYSE: HSY) is the leading North American manufacturer
of quality chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery and chocolate-related
grocery products. Some of the company’s most popular products include
HERSHEY(R)’S chocolate and chocolate with almonds bars, HERSHEY(R)’S KISSES(R)
chocolates, REESE’S(R) peanut butter cups, JOLLY RANCHER(R) and TWIZZLERS(R)
candies, HERSHEY(R)’S cocoa, and HERSHEY(R)’S syrup. The company also is a
market leader in the gum and mint category with such well-known brands as ICE
BREAKERS(R), BREATH SAVERS(R), and BUBBLE YUM(R).

Contact: Brooke Rogers
Weber Shandwick Worldwide
972-830-2360
Cell: 214-789-4546
brogers@webershandwick.com

CONTACT: Brooke Rogers of Weber Shandwick Worldwide, +1-972-830-2360, or
cell, +1-214-789-4546, or brogers@webershandwick.com , for Dean Foods Company

URL: http://www.deanfoods.com
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