The American Bakers Association’s Policy Committee chairs will examine how ABA can be effective despite gridlock in Washington during an All Membership Meeting at its upcoming convention in Florida.

Hostess Brands Inc. says the stalking-horse bid submitted by McKee Foods Corp. for the Drake's snack cake brand will be the bid presented for approval to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court; no other qualified bids were received for those assets. It also says the bid submitted by affiliates of Apollo Global Management and Metropoulos & Co. for the majority of the company’s snack cake business, including Hostess and Dolly Madison brands, will be the one presented for approval to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court; no other qualified bids were received for those assets.

Skilled positions will be in higher demand in the coming years, according to reports at this year’s Winter Summit, hosted by the Baking Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds (BEMA), March 2-3 at the Chicago Marriott. A new educational track was presented. Attendance at the networking reception broke records.

VMG Partners reportedly has put portfolio company Robert's American Gourmet Food, LLC, seller of the Pirate's Booty brand of baked snacks, up for sale, according to sources.

McKee Foods Corp. has agreed to pay Hostess Brands inc. $27.5 million for the Drake's brand and certain equipment.

Hostess Brands selects Apollo Global Management and Metropoulos & Co. as the winning bidder for the majority of its snack cake business, including its iconic Twinkies.

This year’s inductees include Ernest Nickles, Alfred Nickles Bakery; W. Clark Pulver, founder of Pulver Systems; and Torahiko Hayashi, founder of Rheon Automatic Machinery.

Winners of the 57th annual Flexible Packaging Achievement awards competition again feature advancements in flexible packaging materials, graphics and printing, sustainability, functionality and technical innovation. This year, Peruplast S.A. took gold for printing achievement for Kusi Wayta fruit/seed snack packaging, while Printpack nabbed a silver in packaging excellence for Walkers Shortbread’s resealable, tamper-evident cookie pack that extends shelf life.

Renowned author and philosopher Tom Morris will headline the 2013 Allied Trades of the Baking Industry (ATBI) breakfast on April 22 during the annual American Bakers Association Convention in Aventura, Fla.

Massachusetts-based Dunkin’ Donuts also announces plans to open 330 to 360 net new U.S. restaurants in 2013.