HERSHEY, Pa., Jan. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With an estimated $1.6 billion spent on candy in 2013¹, it's no surprise that confections like chocolate and hard candy will continue to be the sweetest gift to give this Valentine's Day. The Hershey Company makes it easy to share or gift your favorite treats with its 2014 Valentine's Day Collection. A new and delicious addition to its Valentine's Day products is the Hershey's® Kisses® Milk Chocolates Rose Cane, filled with Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolates in red, pink and silver foils. Other items introduced this year include the NEW Jolly Rancher® Hard Candy Heart Box and the NEW Hershey's® Solid Milk Chocolate Heart, and the new look of the Reese's® Peanut Butter Heart.

To make your day even sweeter, visit CelebratewithHersheys.com for recipe and craft ideas like these "Valentine Love Bugs," to dress up the table. "Kisses Sweetheart Cookies," are a charming treat for class parties or fun family get-togethers. The website also has an assortment of free eCards to customize and send to loved ones near and far.

For Gifting and Friendship Exchanges
Show friends and family how much you care by sharing the new Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Minis or Jolly Rancher Heart-Shaped Lollipops Valentine's Exchanges. Individually wrapped, these flavorsome candies are easy to hand out to everyone on your list. Make your gift even more special by adding a Hershey's® Pot of Gold® Premium Collection Red or Pink Ribbon Heart Box.

Festive Candy Dish Favorites
Love is in the air, so fill your home with treats that everyone will enjoy. Add a sweet touch to Valentine's Day decorations by adorning candy bowls with holiday dressed treats like new Jolly Rancher Sours Hearts or Rolo® Candies now in red, pink and gold foils.

Hershey's Valentine's Day Collection can be found at retailers nationwide. For more information on Hershey's seasonal products, Valentine's Day recipes and gift giving ideas, visit CelebratewithHersheys.com.

About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and approximately 14,000 employees.

With revenues of more than $6.6 billion, Hershey offers confectionery products under more than 80 brand names, including such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. The company is focused on growing its presence in key international markets such as China, Mexico and Brazil while continuing to build its competitive advantage in the United States and Canada.

For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making a positive difference in the communities where its employees live, work and do business. Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of the company's global business strategy, which includes goals and priorities focused on fair and ethical business dealings, environmental stewardship, fostering a desirable workplace for employees, and positively impacting society and local communities. Milton Hershey School, established in 1909 by the company's founder and funded by a trust administered by Hershey Trust Company, provides a quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. Students of Milton Hershey School are direct beneficiaries of The Hershey Company's success.

¹Reynoso, Belle. "Valentine's Day, by the Numbers." CNN. Cable News Network, 14 Feb. 2013. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/13/living/valentines-day-statistics-btn/.

SOURCE The Hershey Company