Merita is a brand of breads that was produced by Hostess Brands and now produced by Flowers Foods, available throughout the Southeastern United States until November 16, 2012, when Hostess's management decided to liquidate Hostess. The company gave as their reason for this action that they had been crippled by a strike by BCTGM, the bakers' union.[1] Union spokespersons attributed the company's situation to poor management over a long period of years.[2]
On January 11, 2013, Flowers Foods purchased the brand from Hostess.[3]