Hershey's on a rampage

Further proof that Hershey is desperate to get into the premium chocolate niche market:

HERSHEY, Pa., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY - News), the largest North American confectionery company and a leading snack food marketer, today announced that its newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary, Artisan Confections Company, has acquired the assets of Joseph Schmidt Confections, Inc., a premium chocolate maker. Joseph Schmidt is known for its artistic and innovative truffles, colorful chocolate mosaics, specialty cookies, and handcrafted chocolates presented in distinctive packaging. These products are sold in select department stores and other specialty outlets nationwide as well as in Joseph Schmidt's stores located in San Jose and San Francisco.

Sigh. Yet another Bay Area company snatched up by a megacorporation. I had written something earlier on the whole Scharffen Berger acquisition, so you pretty much know how I feel about this.