The a2 Milk Company and The Hershey Company are partnering to release Hershey’s a2 Milk, pairing America’s No. 1 milk chocolate brand with one of the fastest-growing premium milk brands, for a natural chocolate milk that combines taste, nutrition, and all-family appeal.
Scheduled to hit store shelves in January, Hershey’s a2 Milk will use 2% reduced fat milk from cows that naturally produce only the A2 protein, rather than the combination of A1 and A2 proteins contained in most dairy products. Published research suggests a2 Milk that naturally contains the A2 protein may help avoid stomach discomfort in some people.
Coupling a2 Milk with Hershey’s cocoa creates a chocolate milk with Hershey’s classic taste, 8 grams of protein per serving, and no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
Strong sales in the overall premium milk category have helped The a2 Milk Company achieve multiple years of double-digit growth including a 30% growth rate in the U.S. in its last fiscal year.
“Premium milk buyers appear to want three things from chocolate milk: taste, quality and natural ingredients,” said Blake Waltrip, CEO of The a2 Milk Company U.S. “Partnering with the iconic Hershey’s brand, and using Hershey’s well known cocoa in this new product guarantees great chocolate taste… pairing this with high quality a2 Milk seals the deal in terms of delivering a delicious product that may help some consumers avoid stomach discomfort, and that all consumers can feel good about giving their families. With this partnership, we have taken chocolate milk to a whole new level.”
The launch is Hershey’s first partnership with a premium milk company. The chocolate milk will be sold in 59-ounce refrigerated cartons as well as in 8-ounce shelf stable single, 6-pack and 18-packs.
“This new chocolate milk is the latest example of how we are expanding The Hershey Company in to expanded better-for-you categories,” said Ernie Savo, Senior Director of Global Licensing, The Hershey Company. “Partnering with The a2 Milk Company not only aligns us with a brand that is synonymous with quality and rapid growth but also selling a product that is a staple in almost every family’s refrigerator. It’s an excellent co-branding opportunity that we expect to yield strong results.”
About The a2 Milk Company
The a2 Milk Company was founded in 2000 in New Zealand by Dr. Corran McLachlan after scientific research suggested that proteins in milk may affect some people differently. The company entered the U.S. market in 2015, works exclusively with U.S. farms that are Validus certified for animal welfare, and is now one of the fastest growing brands in the premium milk category in the U.S. with distribution in over 23,000 locations. a2 Milk comes from cows that naturally produce only the A2 protein. Published research suggests a2 Milk may help some people avoid stomach discomfort.
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 17,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 90 brands around the world that drive more than $8 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop, and Pirate's Booty. For more than 125 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed.
