Spare the Twinkie, Hostess

Hostess Brands’ announcement that it is going out of business has spurred a rush for Twinkies. Stores around the nation are reporting customers buying boxes of the iconic “Golden Sponge Cake with Creamy Filling” by the armful and that prices on eBay have skyrocketed.

Hostess, which also makes Wonder Bread and other baked goods, said it was shutting down today because the company lacks the finances to weather an extended nationwide strike by workers. The strikes began a week ago after Hostess imposed a contract cutting workers’ wages by 8 percent. The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union said the contract also cut benefits by 27 percent to 32 percent.