DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Apr. 22, 2016	Jul. 02, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity registrant name	HERSHEY CO
Entity central index key	0000047111
Current fiscal year end date	--12-31
Entity filer category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document type	10-Q
Document period end date	Apr. 03, 2016
Document fiscal year focus	2016
Document fiscal period focus	Q1
Amendment flag	false
Entity well-known seasoned issuer	Yes
Entity voluntary filers	No
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 13,110,173,681
Common stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity common stock, shares outstanding (shares)		152,753,106
Class B common stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity common stock, shares outstanding (shares)		60,619,777