HP Hood LLC, one of the nation’s leading dairy processors, announced that it has entered into a licensing agreement with The Hershey Co., the largest North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and sugar confectionery products. Hood has been granted license to manufacture, sell and distribute extended-shelf-life Hershey-flavored milks and milkshakes nationwide. 

Hood will partner with Hershey to launch a line of 12-ounce single serve Hershey-branded products, including a Hershey’s Reduced Fat Chocolate Milk, Hershey’s Chocolate Milkshake and Hershey’s Cookies n’ Cream Milkshake, to markets across the United States beginning January 2010. 

“This partnership opens the door to new opportunities for us, our dairies, our distributors and our customers,” said Jim Walsh, executive vice president of sales for HP Hood. “We have the tremendous ability to leverage the collective strengths of our organizations and accelerate the distribution of Hershey’s new flavored milks and milkshakes across the country.”

"We're excited to bring consumers the authentic and distinctive taste of Hershey pure chocolate in a convenient ready to drink beverage," said Ernie Savo, director of marketing excellence & licensing at The Hershey Co. “Our vast portfolio of iconic brands allows us to bring variety and fun flavors to the beverage market."