Hershey to buy Brookside Foods

The Hershey Co. is acquiring Canadian confectionary company Brookside Foods Ltd. for an undisclosed sum.

Brookside, based in British Columbia, is a privately held company that makes chocolate-covered fruit juice pieces and chocolate-covered dried fruits and nuts. Its products are sold in re-sealable packs primarily in the United States and Canada. It generates annual revenue of about $83.2 million.

Hershey, which is the nation's largest chocolate maker with products such as Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and York Peppermint Patties, said the acquisition is an opportunity to expand its portfolio. The deal still requires Brookside shareholder and regulatory approval.