Tackle Your Sweet Tooth This Football Season with S'mores—the Official Dessert of Tailgating!

HERSHEY, Pa. and NORTHFIELD, Ill., Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- To ensure a winning tailgate this football season, The Hershey Company and Kraft Foods are teaming up with football analyst Jesse Palmer to sweeten your pre-game rituals with S'mores, The Official Dessert of Tailgating™! For more than 80 years, Americans have gathered to enjoy S'mores, a classic treat made with the perfect combination of Hershey®'s Milk Chocolate, Kraft Jet-Puffed® Marshmallows, and Honey-Maid® Graham Crackers. Now, it's easier than ever to make S'mores part of your tailgate by grilling them up on game day and following the easy "build it, wrap it, grill it" preparation method.  

With football season in full swing, fans across the country are showing their team spirit before the game. In fact, Tailgating.com reports that 46 percent of fans will tailgate at least six times this year.

"We all know that tailgating is synonymous with football, but not everyone knows that having the right dessert can make or break your tailgate," said Jesse Palmer, current ESPN College GameDay analyst. "S'mores can be easily made on the grill, making it the perfect game day treat."

No stranger to the football and tailgating scene, Palmer serves up his best tips for a successful tailgate:

• Grab your spot early – Leave ample time to secure your spot and arrive no later than 90 minutes before kick-off. The closer you are to game time, the more likely you will be caught in game day traffic, which will impact your tailgating plans.  
• Have the right equipment – Just as players need proper pads and helmets on the field, tailgaters need proper cooking equipment! Portable grills, coolers, aluminum grilling utensils and storage for leftovers are all items to invest in for tailgate season.   Make sure to use separate coolers for food and beverages to avoid any confusion.
• Don't forget the dessert! – A great meal with friends and family ends with dessert, and tailgating is no exception! S'mores are The Official Dessert of Tailgating™ and easy to make – just 'Build it, Wrap it, Grill it!' Simply build your S'mores to your liking, wrap in aluminum foil and grill them for 1 to 2 minutes on each side over a medium hot grill until the milk chocolate and marshmallows are perfectly melted between two graham crackers. It's the perfect way to sweeten your tailgate!
• Bring the entertainment –Fans often tailgate for several hours on game day, so make sure there are plenty of activities for the group. Popular games such as corn-hole "bean bag toss," washers and ladder toss are perfect for tailgating festivities. Don't forget a radio to get everyone excited for kick-off!

For more tips and S'mores recipes for tailgating season, visit www.smoressmiles.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 more than 13,000 employees. With revenues of more than $5 billion, Hershey offers a wide range of confectionery products, including such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Hershey's Bliss, Special Dark, Hershey's Syrup, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, PayDay and Jolly Rancher. Hershey also is a leader in the premium and artisan chocolate segments, with such brands as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba, offered through the Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary. The company is focused on growing its presence in key international markets in Asia and Latin America while continuing to build its position in the United States.

Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of the company's global business strategy, including 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 administered by the Hershey Trust Company, provides 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. Visit us at www.hersheys.com.

About Kraft Foods

Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) is a global snacks powerhouse with an unrivaled portfolio of brands people love. Proudly marketing delicious biscuits, confectionery, beverages, cheese, grocery products and convenient meals in approximately 170 countries, Kraft Foods had 2010 revenue of $49.2 billion. Twelve of the company's iconic brands -- Cadbury, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Milka, Nabisco, Oreo, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Tang and Trident – generate revenue of more than $1 billion annually. On Aug. 4, 2011, Kraft Foods announced plans to divide and create two independent public companies: a high-growth global snacks business with estimated revenue of $32 billion and a high-margin North American grocery business with estimated revenue of $16 billion, based on 2010 financial results, adjusted for divestitures. The transaction will take at least 12 months to complete, during which time plans regarding the structure, management, governance and other matters will be announced. A leader in innovation, marketing, health & wellness and sustainability, Kraft Foods is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500, Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index. Visit www.kraftfoodscompany.com and www.facebook.com/kraftfoodscorporate.  

SOURCE The Hershey Company