PEAPOD AND THE HERSHEY COMPANY JOIN FORCES TO LAUNCH "FRUIT & INDULGENCE" BOX IN CHICAGOLAND

For office managers, stocking snacks in the break room just got a bit sweeter. Today, Peapod, the nation’s leading online grocer and The Hershey Company joined forces to launch the Fruit & Indulgence Box, a delicious care package filled with wholesome fresh fruit and melt-in-your-mouth Hershey’s chocolate to satisfy employees’ collective sweet tooth. The Fruit & Indulgence Box, the first collaboration between Peapod and The Hershey Company, is now available for office delivery, home delivery or Pick-up in Chicagoland areas served by Peapod.

“Peapod customers are busy people, especially during the work day, and many rely on the office break room to provide an afternoon pick-me-up. Based on the incredible success of our Best of the Season Fruit Box, we know that employees are clamoring for healthy foods in the workplace. But, research also shows that employees love options – including a little chocolate indulgence! Studying business purchases we saw a great opportunity to pair a popular snack with fresh, Peapod produce,” said Tony Stallone, Peapod’s VP of Fresh Markets. “That’s why we’ve partnered with The Hershey Company to provide the Fruit & Indulgence Box. It delivers a convenient solution at a great value for a broad range of office appetites – whether it’s ripe, fresh fruit or a piece of delicious Hershey’s chocolate, everyone at work will find something to love in the Fruit & Indulgence Box.”

The launch of the Fruit & Indulgence Box comes hot on the heels of a recent Peapod survey with ORC International on employee satisfaction in relation to workplace snack availability. According to the survey, 66 percent of employees who say their office is always stocked with food report being very happy on the job and 56 percent of office workers agree that they hit an afternoon slump without snacks to refuel their energy. And, it’s not just any food: 83 percent of employees agree that having fresh snack options provide a huge perk.

“Our partnership with Peapod enables both of us to uncover opportunities in a grocery delivery business model, which is a high-growth shopping platform for the evolving shopper, and from an office snacking occasion standpoint, which is undeniably relevant in today’s time-constrained workplace,” said Denise Vivas, Director, eCommerce, The Hershey Company.

The Fruit & Indulgence box includes one party size bag (38.5-40oz.) of Hershey’s chocolate and 24-28 pieces of fresh, seasonal fruit. Available to Peapod’s customers in Chicagoland, the Fruit & Indulgence Box can be ordered online at www.peapod.com or via the newly redesigned mobile app for phone and tablet.

For more information, please visit www.peapod.com.