Is anyone in the Treasure Valley going to lose their jobs?

A corporate spokesman in Texas didn’t return phone calls seeking comment Friday, but Hostess — which distributes locally and has bakeries, warehouses and stores throughout the region — is planning to cut 18,500 jobs nationally. The bankrupt firm attributes its closing to a labor strike.

What does it mean for Twinkies, Ho-Hos, and other stalwarts of Americana?

Those brands are expected to be bought and distributed by other companies, but grocery stores are preparing for a flood of sales. “We already have some shelves that are empty,” said Mike Siemienas, spokesman for Supervalu, owner of 33 Albertsons stores in Idaho.

Pricey secondhand sales are being offered on the Internet.

A Meridian man, for example, is advertising various boxes of Hostess goodies for sale on Craigslist, including a box of 10 chocolate Twinkies for $40.

Is anyone actually going to take him up on that?

It’s unclear, but no one else had contacted him when a Statesman reporter called Friday evening. And most stores in town were still well-stocked with Hostess products.