Editing Wonder Bread (section)

==History==
[[File:BilliardHallForColored.jpg|thumb|250px|A Wonder Bread advertisement at Beale Street, [[Memphis, Tennessee]], 1939]]

===Taggart Baking Company===
The Taggart Baking Company of [[Indianapolis, Indiana]], began producing Wonder Bread that debuted on May 21, 1921,<ref name="jstor-wonder-bread">{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Allison |title=Reliving the Wonder Years of Wonder Bread |url=https://daily.jstor.org/history-of-wonder-bread/ |website=[[JSTOR]] Daily |publisher=[[ITHAKA]] |access-date=28 March 2022 |date=21 May 2021}}</ref> following a blind promotion with ads that only stated a "Wonder" was coming on that date. The brand was named by vice president for merchandising development Elmer Cline, who was inspired by the International Balloon Race at the [[Indianapolis Motor Speedway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.wonderbread.com/about |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Wonder bread |language=en-US}}</ref> Cline was filled with "wonder" by the scene of hundreds of balloons creating a kaleidoscope of color resulting in the iconic red, yellow and blue balloons featured on the Wonder Bread logo.<ref name="cookbook">{{cite book| title=The Wonder Bread Cookbook| url=https://archive.org/details/wonderbreadcookb0000unse| url-access=registration| quote=the wonder cookbook.| publisher=Ten Speed Press| location=Berkeley, California| year=2007| pages=[https://archive.org/details/wonderbreadcookb0000unse/page/3 3]–7| isbn=9781580088077| access-date=January 5, 2019}}</ref> The logo was designed by commercial artist Drew Miller while he was on staff at a [[Chicago]] ad agency.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Andrew Adam |date=February 10, 2023 |title=Logo big or go home: One of the first brands to sell sliced bread, Wonder has a story as colorful as its bag |url=https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2023/02/10/logo-big-or-go-home-one-of-the-first-brands-to-sell-sliced-bread-wonder-has-a-story-as-colorful-as-its-bag |access-date=2024-11-30 |website=Retail Brew |language=en-us}}</ref>

===Continental Baking Company===
[[Continental Baking Company]] purchased Taggart in 1925.<ref name="ttbook-wyman-wonder-bread">{{cite web |title=Carolyn Wyman on the History of Wonder Bread |url=https://ttbook.org/book/carolyn-wyman-history-wonder-bread |website=To the best of our KNOWLEDGE |access-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801033316/https://ttbook.org/book/carolyn-wyman-history-wonder-bread |archive-date=1 August 2016}}</ref> This made Wonder Bread a national brand and added "It's Slo Baked" to the logo.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cross |first1=Mary |title=A Century of American Icons: 100 Products and Slogans from the 20th-Century Consumer Culture |date=2002 |publisher=Greenwood Press |isbn=978-0313314810  |access-date=4 September 2020 |url=https://archive.org/details/centuryofamerica00cros/page/68/ |pages=68–70}}</ref> In the 1930s, Continental Baking began marketing Wonder Bread in [[Sliced bread|sliced form]] nationwide, one of the first companies to do so; this was a significant milestone for the industry and for American consumers, who, at first, needed reassurance that "wonder-cut" bread would not dry out.<ref name="cookbook" /> The W. E. Long Company of Chicago, which had formed a cooperative of bakeries to market [[Holsum Bread]], had pioneered and promoted the packaging of sliced bread two years prior, in 1928.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.holsum.com/about-holsum/| title=History|  archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110062121/http://www.holsum.com/history.shtml |archive-date=January 10, 2007| access-date=January 5, 2019| website=Holsum}}</ref> 

Wonder Bakery Exhibit, in The Food Zone, [[1939 New York World's Fair]] by [[Continental Baking Company]] had a wheat field, the first in 68 years, in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Van Dort |first1=Paul M. |title=Wonder Bread, Continental Baking, The Food Zone |url=https://www.1939nyworldsfair.com/worlds_fair/wf_tour/zone-3/continental_baking.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219165114/https://www.1939nyworldsfair.com/worlds_fair/wf_tour/zone-3/continental_baking.htm |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |access-date=28 March 2022 |website=1939 New York World's Fair}}</ref>

Unsliced bread returned for a period during [[World War II]] due to an industry-wide slicing suspension in 1943.<ref name="americacomesalive-wonder-bread">{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Kate |title=Wonder Bread: The Most Famous White Bread |url=https://americacomesalive.com/wonder-bread/#marshall-saw-the-benefits-of-enriched-bread |website=America Comes Alive |access-date=28 March 2022 |date=27 October 2021}}</ref> Bread slicers returned two months later.<ref name="cookbook" /><ref name="theclustermag-wonder-bread">{{cite web |title=A Visual History of Wonder Bread |url=http://theclustermag.com/blog/2012/04/visual-history-wonder-bread/ |website=Cluster Mag |access-date=28 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020060020/http://theclustermag.com/blog/2012/04/visual-history-wonder-bread/ |archive-date=20 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="smithsonianmag-wonder-bread-129979401">{{cite news |last1=Schultz |first1=Colin |title=The Life And Death of Wonder Bread |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-life-and-death-of-wonder-bread-129979401/ |access-date=28 March 2022 |work=[[Smithsonian Magazine]] |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Former Wonder Bread Factory, Fougeron Street @ NYCRR Belt Line, Buffalo, New York - 20200522.jpg|thumb|left|Former Wonder Bread factory in [[Buffalo, New York]], pictured in May 2020]]

During the 1940s, Continental Baking began adding vitamins and minerals to Wonder Bread as part of a government-sponsored program of [[enriched flour|enriching]] [[white bread]], which was notoriously deficient in vitamin and mineral content, to combat certain diseases. Wonder was also the first national bread brand to feature [[open dating]] and nutrition information on its packaging.<ref name="cookbook" /> In the 1950s, Wonder Bread further expanded advertising of its nutrient enrichments. The company sponsored [[Howdy Doody]], with host [[Buffalo Bob Smith]] telling the audience, "Wonder Bread builds strong bodies 8 ways" referring to the number of [[Food additive|added nutrients]].<ref name=Nutrients/> By the 1960s, Wonder Bread was advertised with the slogan "Helps build strong bodies 12 ways," with a list of health claims.<ref name=Nutrients>{{cite web| url=https://americacomesalive.com/wonder-bread/| title=Wonder Bread: The Most Famous White Bread| last=Kelly| first=Kate| date= 27 October 2021| access-date=February 26, 2022| website=America Comes Alive}}</ref> In 1986, Continental introduced the lower-calorie Wonder Light bread.{{Cn|date=March 2025}}

===Interstate Bakeries/Hostess Brands===
[[Interstate Bakeries|Interstate Bakeries Corporation]] purchased Continental Baking in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Kathryn |date=January 7, 1995 |title=Ralston Selling Continental Baking to Interstate |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/07/business/company-news-ralston-selling-continental-baking-to-interstate.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref> In 2004, Interstate Bakeries declared bankruptcy, putting the future of Wonder Bread in some doubt. In February 2009 Interstate Bakeries emerged from bankruptcy marking a "new beginning" for the baking company.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2009/02/02/daily30.html |title=Interstate Bakeries emerges from bankruptcy |newspaper=[[American City Business Journals|Kansas City Business Journal]] |date=February 3, 2009 |access-date=2011-04-25 |first=Suzanna |last=Stagemeyer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218010119/http://kansascity.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2009/02/02/daily30.html |archive-date=February 18, 2009 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In 2006, Wonder was one of the first bread brands to introduce whole grain white breads in an effort to appeal to consumers who loved the taste of white bread, but were looking for more nutrition.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weise |first=Elizabeth |date=June 29, 2005 |title=Wonder what's next? Whole-grain white bread |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-06-29-wonderbread_x.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204120338/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-06-29-wonderbread_x.htm |archive-date=February 4, 2012 |access-date=2011-04-25 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref> These breads were made with an albino wheat variety that does not have the more pronounced taste of whole red-wheat flour.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gina |last=Pace |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wonder-bread-to-offer-whole-wheat/ |title=Wonder Bread To Offer Whole Wheat |publisher=CBS News |date=January 22, 2006 |access-date=2011-04-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324141714/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/01/22/business/main1227441.shtml |archive-date=March 24, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

[[File:Wonder Bread Hostess bakery.jpg|thumb|300px|Bakery in [[Sacramento, California]], 2012]]
On August 28, 2007, Interstate Bakeries announced it would soon end production of Wonder Bread in the Southern California market, leading to a loss of 1,300 jobs. This was due to a  decline in sales, as Southern Californians in particular were partial to whole-grain breads and "premium" loaves.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/la-fi-wonder29aug29,0,7786850.story |title=Baker slicing production |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 20, 1986 |access-date=2011-04-25 |first=Jerry |last=Hirsch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830091625/http://www.latimes.com/la-fi-wonder29aug29,0,7786850.story |archive-date=August 30, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> As of September 2009, Wonder Bread and other Hostess Brands breads, such as Home Pride, returned to Southern California supermarkets in response to significant consumer demand. In connection with the re-introduction, the company donated thousands of loaves of bread to the [[San Diego]] Food Bank and the [[Los Angeles]] Regional Food Bank.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/back-by-popular-demand-wonderr-and-home-prider-breads-return-to-southern-california-market-62207467.html |title=Back by Popular Demand, Wonder® and Home Pride® Breads Return to Southern California Market |publisher=Interstate Brands| via=Prnewswire.com |date=July 15, 2011 |access-date=2011-04-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011034717/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/back-by-popular-demand-wonderr-and-home-prider-breads-return-to-southern-california-market-62207467.html |archive-date=October 11, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In August 2009, Wonder reformulated its Wonder Classic and Wonder Classic [[Sandwich bread]] varieties to include more calcium and vitamin D.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bakingbusiness.com/articles/39229-wonder-classic-to-include-more-calcium-and-vitamin-d |title=Wonder Classic to include more calcium and vitamin D |journal=Baking Business |date=August 13, 2009 |access-date=January 5, 2019 |last=Schroeder |first=Eric}}</ref> Two slices of Wonder Classic and Wonder Classic Sandwich bread then provided 30% of the daily recommended intake of calcium, the same amount as 8 fluid ounces of whole milk. Wonder 100% Whole Wheat (16 oz variety) qualified for the Women, Infants and Children or [[WIC program]] in most states. In November 2009, IBC changed its name to Hostess Brands.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2009 |title=IBC to Change Name to Hostess Brands, Inc. |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118174107/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS150587+02-Nov-2009+BW20091102 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

In March 2010, Wonder extended its line of bread products with Wonder Smartwhite, which had the taste and soft texture of white bread, but the fiber of 100% [[whole wheat bread]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/americas-best-selling-brand-of-bread-introduces-wonderr-smartwhitetm-89392127.html |title=America's Best Selling Brand Of Bread Introduces Wonder® Smartwhite™ |publisher=Wonder Bread |via=Prnewswire.com |date=March 29, 2010 |access-date=January 5, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407090239/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/americas-best-selling-brand-of-bread-introduces-wonderr-smartwhitetm-89392127.html |archive-date=April 7, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2011, Wonder bread launched its first national advertising campaign in years, titled "Always Wonder".{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

On November 16, 2012, Hostess Brands (Old HB) filed a motion in United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York seeking permission to close its business and sell its assets under [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]].<ref name="ch11">{{cite news |last=Palank |first=Jacqueline |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204257504577154402317896574 |title=Twinkies Maker Hostess Files for Chapter 11 Protection  |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=January 12, 2012 |access-date=2012-01-11 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331051216/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204257504577154402317896574 |archive-date=March 31, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The company closed  plants and began liquidation proceedings, temporarily ending production of Wonder Bread in the states.{{Cn|date=March 2025}}

===Flowers Foods===
[[Flowers Foods]], owner of the [[Mrs. Freshley's]], [[Tastykake]], and [[Dave's Killer Bread]] brands, officially acquired Hostess' bread brands, including Wonder Bread, in March 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isidore |first=Chris |date=2013-02-28 |title=Flowers Foods buys Wonder Bread from Hostess |url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/02/28/news/companies/wonder-bread-flowers-foods/index.html |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=CNNMoney}}</ref> On July 22, 2013, Flowers Foods completed its $355 million acquisition of several breads, bakeries and other assets from the company previously known as Hostess Brands (Old HB), including Wonder Bread.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/07/22/flowers-foods-completes-hostess-bread-buyout/2575239/ |title=Breads to return to shelves as Hostess deal set |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221040654/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/07/22/flowers-foods-completes-hostess-bread-buyout/2575239/ |archive-date=December 21, 2014 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=July 22, 2013 |newspaper=USA Today}}</ref> Flowers Foods announced on September 12, 2013, that Wonder Bread would return to U.S. store shelves, with delivery of Wonder Bread to stores resuming on September 23.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wonder, other bread brands returning to supermarket shelves |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20130923/BUSINESS07/309230112/wonder-bread-hostess-bankruptcy |date=September 23, 2013 |newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]]| access-date=January 5, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |df=mdy-all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927141929/http://www.freep.com/article/20130923/BUSINESS07/309230112/wonder-bread-hostess-bankruptcy}}</ref>