Regional, national and international companies have shown interest in purchasing Hostess Brands, according to the company. It says that international companies have also expressed an interest in licensing the brands overseas. It says that interested parties had until Dec. 10 to submit bids for all or part of the shuttered company.

Buffalo, N.Y.-based Rich Products Corp. acquires Goglanian Bakeries Inc. and f'real foods, both based in California, and enters into a joint venture, Twin Star Bakery, with The Stolbun Group, Houston.

The International Dairy•Deli•Bakery Association seeks decorators to compete in its 18th annual Cake Decorating Challenge, to be held during the Dairy-Deli-Bake Seminar and Expo in June.

Oberto Brands plans to open a production facility in Nashville, Tenn., to keep pace with its growing meat snack demand.

More results of the bad economy: U.K. consumers are buying less bread and making what they buy go further, even if it means eating stale bread. Meanwhile, supermarkets hit by shoppers' reluctance to purchase bread are pressuring suppliers for cheaper products.

Due to a brisk exhibit sales pace, the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) is adding exhibit space for the October 2013 expo in Las Vegas.

Awrey Bakeries, Livonia, Mich., says it may lay off about 150 works, or possibly shut down, unless it finds a buyer or investor.

Some food and nutrition statements are coming through loud and clear, with survey data from the International Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC) indicating that 70% and 63% of consumers are trying to consume less sugar and HFCS, respectively.

Nation Pizza and Foods, the subject of our upcoming December feature articles, was recently selected as Supplier of the Year for contract manufacturing by Nestlé Business Services North America Technical Procurement. The Schaumburg, Ill.-based supplier was selected from more than 130 contract manufacturers to receive the award.