The Hershey Co. has officially closed the acquisition of snack processor LesserEvil — an acquisition first announced in April 2025. The addition of LesserEvil to Hershey’s stable of products gives the company even more variety in the snacks it offers consumers and also brings additional production capacity to the company, it noted in a release.
LesserEvil is known for creating snacks, such as popcorn and puffs, using organic ingredients and interesting, bold flavors, the announcement said. The products are USDA Organic, non-GMO and produced without artificial dyes and preservatives, and they are available in retail nationwide.
LesserEvil’s leadership team will remain with the company and lead innovation and manufacturing, and the acquisition promises to prioritize continued production of LesserEvil products.
“We’re excited to join Hershey, a company aligned with our values and our commitment to quality and community,” Charles Cortisine, CEO of LesserEvil said. “This partnership will empower us to grow our vibrant culture, expand our reach to new consumers, and make an even greater impact together.”
About the Author
Andy Hanacek
Senior Editor
Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.