HERSHEY, Pa.About 18% of The Hershey Company's globally sourced cocoa was certified in 2013, which nearly doubled the companys original 2013 goal of 10% certified cocoa. Hershey is on track to meet its goal of sourcing 100% certified cocoa by 2020.

The Hershey Companys next certification milestone is to reach between 40% and 50% of all cocoa purchased globally by 2016. Hershey's cocoa sustainability projects include leadership and economic training for women farmers, literacy, health and farm safety programs, in addition to Hershey's 100% cocoa certification goal.

This is just one of many initiatives through local NGOs, national governments and development agencies to address child labor and improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers around the world," said Terence ODay, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer. "These projects include leadership and economic training for women farmers, literacy, health and farm safety programs as well as the recent opening of a Hershey-supported primary school in western Ivory Coast."

Hershey also announced that its Scharffen Berger brand has reached its previously stated goal to source 100% of cocoa from certified farms by the end of 2013. All Scharffen Berger products now use cocoa that is 100% sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, joining both Hersheys Bliss chocolates and Hersheys Dagoba organic chocolate, which reached this milestone in 2012.

The certified cocoa used in Hershey products is verified by independent auditors who follow recognized international standards for labor, environmental and sustainable farming practices. Hershey is sourcing certified cocoa through three of the worlds largest and most recognized cocoa certifications: UTZ Certified, Fair Trade USA and Rainforest Alliance Certified.