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Iconic Lunch Box Treat in Jeopardy—What’s a Parent to Do?

HoHos are getting the heave-ho? Say it ain’t so.

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As you can see by the photo above, clearly, I don’t prohibit my daughter from occasionally wrapping her lips around high calorie, sugary sweets.

Everything in moderation, right?

My kid is an equal opportunity sweets consumer who rarely encounters a white crystalline carbohydrate-laced confection she doesn’t beg to devour. Given her fondness for fructose, glucose, sucrose and the like, I was a bit incredulous when I learned that Hostess recently filed for bankruptcy protection.

How can a company that I’ve financially supported week after week, year after year, satisfying my child’s sweet tooth be out of money—-again?

In 2009, the 82-year-old Texas-based company completed a major overhaul stemming from a 2004 bankruptcy. The reorganization came just as my child entered elementary school and I began the dreaded chore of packing lunches which featured nutritious options, as well as a not-so healthy daily dessert.

And thus began my daughter’s love affair with HoHos, DingDongs and Hostess Chocolate Cupcakes.

I’ve tucked one of the chocolatey treats in her lunch box nearly every day for the past two-and-a-half years.

Like millions of parents, past and present, I turn to Hostess’ iconic snacks to bring a little joy to my child’s lunch hour (okay, 20 minutes).

Heck, when I was pregnant I lived off of Banana Twinkies and deviled eggs for an entire trimester.

Talk about a joyous time.

So, how is it that with all the love showered on the sweet treats, can Hostess even consider ending their production?

And what of the obesity factor?

I’m a bit confused as to how Hostess is cash-strapped if there really is an obesity crisis.

And I am not the only one.

The L.A. Times recently interviewed a bigwig from a brand-strategy firm in New York, who made this astute comment:

“You can’t pick up a paper without reading about obesity in America. It seems like it’s pretty bad management that [Hostess] can’t take advantage of a trend like obesity.”

For the record, my child is far from fat. This is due mainly to the simple fact that she expends more calories than she consumes.

Still, she loves her a HoHo like nobody’s business, which is why I haven’t told her that it may be just a matter of time before her beloved individually-wrapped chocolate treats go bye-bye.

Are Hostess treats a staple in your child’s lunch box?

Related Articles:

Fast Food Kids’ Meals—How Healthy Are They?

Kids And Juice—Are They A Healthy Mix?

Is There Such A Thing As A Healthy Hamburger?

This entry was posted in Child Safety Issues by Michele Cheplic. Bookmark the permalink.

About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.