Note 21.

Postretirement Plans

The following summarizes the company’s balance sheet related pension and other postretirement benefit plan accounts at December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	December 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Current benefit liability	$	935	$	979
Noncurrent benefit liability	$	60,107	$	69,601
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	$	78,076	$	82,222

The company amended our qualified defined benefit plans in October 2015 to allow retired and terminated vested pension plan participants not yet receiving benefit payments the option to elect to receive their benefit as a single lump sum payment. This amendment was effective as of January 1, 2016. This change supports our long-term pension risk management strategy.

Settlement accounting, which accelerates recognition of a plan’s unrecognized net gain or loss, is triggered if the total lump sums paid during a year exceeds the sum of the plan’s service and interest cost. With no settlement charge recognized until the third quarter, the table below presents the recognized settlement charges by quarter for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):

Settlement loss by fiscal quarter	Fiscal 2017		Fiscal 2016
Quarter 2	$	—	$	4,641
Quarter 3		3,030		1,832
Quarter 4		1,619		173
Total fiscal 2017	$	4,649	$	6,646

The company used a measurement date of December 31, 2017 for the defined benefit and postretirement benefit plans described below. The company voluntarily contributed $1.6 million to one of our qualified pension plans during fiscal 2017.

Pension Plans

The company has trusteed, noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain current and former employees. Benefits under the company’s largest pension plan are frozen. The company continues to maintain an ongoing plan that covers a small number of certain union employees. The benefits in this plan are based on years of service and the employee’s career earnings. The qualified plans are funded at amounts deductible for income tax purposes but not less than the minimum funding required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (“PPA”). The company uses a calendar year end for the measurement date since the plans are based on a calendar year end and because it approximates the company’s fiscal year end. As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the assets of the qualified plans included certificates of deposit, marketable equity securities, mutual funds, corporate and government debt securities, other diversifying strategies and annuity contracts. The company expects pension income of approximately $1.7 million for fiscal 2018.

The net periodic pension cost (income) for the company’s pension plans includes the following components for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2016			Fiscal 2015
Service cost	$	755		$	830		$	873
Interest cost		12,852			13,682			18,003
Expected return on plan assets		(25,669	)		(26,644	)		(29,642	)
Settlement loss		4,649			6,646			—
Amortization:
Prior service cost		387			387			—
Actuarial loss		6,355			7,294			4,978
Net periodic pension cost (income)		(671	)		2,195			(5,788	)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Current year actuarial loss (gain)		4,119			8,879			(1,916	)
Current year prior service cost		—			—			6,199
Settlement loss		(4,649	)		(6,646	)		—
Amortization of prior service cost		(387	)		(387	)		—
Amortization of actuarial loss		(6,355	)		(7,294	)		(4,978	)
Total recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income		(7,272	)		(5,448	)		(695	)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss	$	(7,943	)	$	(3,253	)	$	(6,483	)

Actual return on plan assets for fiscal years 2017, 2016, and 2015 was $42.1 million, $4.7 million, and $6.9 million, respectively.

Approximately $6.1 million will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in fiscal 2018 relating to the company’s pension plans. The funded status and the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the company’s pension plans are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	December 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	398,595		$	438,023
Service cost		755			830
Interest cost		12,852			13,682
Actuarial loss (gain)		20,526			(13,076	)
Benefits paid		(24,408	)		(25,130	)
Settlements		(14,368	)		(15,734	)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	393,952		$	398,595
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	335,663		$	370,497
Actual return on plan assets		42,076			4,689
Employer contribution		1,891			1,341
Benefits paid		(24,408	)		(25,130	)
Settlements		(14,368	)		(15,734	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	340,854		$	335,663
Funded status, end of year:
Fair value of plan assets	$	340,854		$	335,663
Benefit obligations		(393,952	)		(398,595	)
Unfunded status and amount recognized at end of year	$	(53,098	)	$	(62,932	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:
Current liability		(260	)		(291	)
Noncurrent liability		(52,838	)		(62,641	)
Amount recognized at end of year	$	(53,098	)	$	(62,932	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial loss before taxes	$	126,002		$	132,886
Prior service cost before taxes		5,426			5,813
Amount recognized at end of year	$	131,428		$	138,699

Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year	$	392,057		$	397,224

Assumptions used in accounting for the company’s pension plans at each of the respective fiscal years ending are as follows:

	Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2016			Fiscal 2015
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Measurement date	12/31/2017			12/31/2016			12/31/2015
Discount rate		3.58	%		4.00	%		4.25	%
Rate of compensation increase		3.00	%		3.00	%		3.00	%
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit (income)/cost:
Measurement date	1/1/2017			1/1/2016			1/1/2015
Discount rate		4.00	%		4.25	%		4.00	%
Expected return on plan assets		8.00	%		8.00	%		8.00	%
Rate of compensation increase		3.00	%		3.00	%		4.00	%

In developing the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets at each measurement date, the company considers the plan assets’ historical actual returns, targeted asset allocations, and the anticipated future economic environment and long-term performance of individual asset classes, based on the company’s investment strategy. While appropriate consideration is given to recent and historical investment performance, the assumption represents management’s best estimate of the long-term prospective return. Further, pension costs do not include an explicit expense assumption, and therefore the return on assets rate reflects the long-term expected return, net of expenses. Based on these factors the expected long-term rate of return assumption for the plans was set at 8.0% for fiscal 2017 and 6.4% for fiscal 2018. The change in assumption from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2018 was the result of the change in the asset allocation on December 31, 2017. The average annual return on the plan assets over the last 15 years was approximately 8.5% (net of expenses).

Plan Assets

Effective January 1, 2014, the Finance Committee (“committee”) of the Board of Directors delegated its fiduciary and other responsibilities with respect to the plans to the newly established Investment Committee. The Investment Committee, which consists of certain members of management, establishes investment guidelines and strategies and regularly monitors the performance of the plans’ assets. The Investment Committee is responsible for executing these strategies and investing the pension assets in accordance with ERISA and fiduciary standards. The investment objective of the pension plans is to preserve the plans’ capital and maximize investment earnings within acceptable levels of risk and volatility. The Investment Committee meets on a regular basis with its investment advisors to review the performance of the plans’ assets. Based upon performance and other measures and recommendations from its investment advisors, the Investment Committee rebalances the plans’ assets to the targeted allocation when considered appropriate. The fair values of all of the company pension plan assets at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, by asset class are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Fair value of Pension Plan Assets as of December 31, 2017
Asset Class	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Short term investments and cash	$	—	$	19,771	$	—	$	19,771
Equity securities:
U.S. companies		65,414		—		—		65,414
International companies		665		—		—		665
Domestic equity funds(a)		19,879		—		—		19,879
International equity funds(b)		22,178		—		—		22,178
Fixed income securities:
U.S. government bonds		—		6,538		—		6,538
U.S. government agency bonds		—		10,531		—		10,531
U.S. mortgage backed securities		—		3,004		—		3,004
U.S. corporate bonds		—		9,993		—		9,993
Absolute return funds(c)		—		—		—		—
Other types of investments measured at net asset value (*):
Hedged equity funds(d)		—		—		—		35,054
Absolute return funds(c)		—		—		—		52,704
International equity funds(b)		—		—		—		22,878
Real estate funds(e)		—		—		—		—
Other types of investments measured at contract value (^):
Guaranteed insurance contracts(f)		—		—		—		10,457
Pending transactions(g)		—		—		—		62,000
Other assets and (liabilities)(g)		—		—		—		(133	)
Accrued (expenses) income(g)		—		—		—		(79	)
Total	$	108,136	$	49,837	$	—	$	340,854

	Fair value of Pension Plan Assets as of December 31, 2016
Asset Class	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Short term investments and cash	$	—	$	4,712	$	—	$	4,712
Equity securities:
U.S. companies		88,427		—		—		88,427
International companies		1,427		—		—		1,427
Domestic equity funds(a)		47,916		—		—		47,916
International equity funds(b)		22,914		—		—		22,914
Fixed income securities:
U.S. government bonds		—		8,796		—		8,796
U.S. government agency bonds		—		5,909		—		5,909
U.S. mortgage backed securities		—		5,512		—		5,512
U.S. corporate bonds		—		10,539		—		10,539
Absolute return funds(c)		—		—		—		—
Other types of investments measured at net asset value (*):
Hedged equity funds(d)		—		—		—		32,095
Absolute return funds(c)		—		—		—		50,036
International equity funds(b)		—		—		—		24,987
Real estate funds(e)		—		—		—		17,296
Other types of investments measured at contract value (^):
Guaranteed insurance contracts(f)		—		—		—		10,124
Pending transactions								5,000
Other assets and (liabilities)(g)		—		—		—		70
Accrued (expenses) income(g)		—		—		—		(97	)
Total	$	160,684	$	35,468	$	—	$	335,663

(a)	This class includes funds with the principal strategy to invest primarily in long positions in domestic equity securities.

(b)	This class includes funds with the principal strategy to invest primarily in long positions in international equity securities. This asset was reclassified from a Level 2 to a Level 1 type for all periods. This asset was incorrectly presented as a Level 2.

(c)	This class invests primarily in absolute return strategy funds and are reported at NAV.

(d)	This class invests primarily in hedged equity funds.

(e)	This class includes funds that invest primarily in U.S. commercial real estate.

(f)	This class invests primarily guaranteed insurance contracts through various U.S. insurance companies.

(g)	This class includes accrued interest, dividends, and amounts receivable from asset sales and amounts payable for asset purchases.

(*)	Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.

(^)	Certain investments, which are fully-benefit responsive investment contracts, are measured at contract value and have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.

The company’s investment policy includes various guidelines and procedures designed to ensure the plan’s assets are invested in a manner necessary to meet expected future benefits earned by participants. The investment guidelines consider a broad range of economic conditions. The plan asset allocation as of the measurement dates December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and target asset allocations for fiscal year 2017 are as follows:

	Target Allocation		Percentage of Plan Assets at the Measurement Date (As percent)
Asset Category	2018		2017		2016
Equity securities	15-45%			38.6		51.1
Fixed income securities	25-45%			27.1		9.3
Real estate		—		—		5.2
Other diversifying strategies(1)	0-40%			28.8		33.5
Short term investments and cash	0-10%			5.5		0.9
Total				100.0		100.0

(1)	Includes absolute return funds, hedged equity funds, and guaranteed insurance contracts.

Equity securities include 2,030,363 shares and 2,030,363 shares of the company’s common stock in the amount of $39.2 million and $40.5 million (11.5% and 12.1% of total plan assets) as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

The objectives of the target allocations are to maintain investment portfolios that diversify risk through prudent asset allocation parameters, achieve asset returns that meet or exceed the plans’ actuarial assumptions, and achieve asset returns that are competitive with like institutions employing similar investment strategies.

Cash Flows

Company contributions to qualified and nonqualified plans are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Year	Required		Discretionary		Total
2017	$	286	$	1,605	$	1,891
2016	$	341	$	1,000	$	1,341
2015	$	436	$	10,000	$	10,436

All contributions are made in cash. The required contributions made during fiscal 2017 include $0.3 million in nonqualified pension benefits paid from corporate assets. The discretionary contributions of $1.6 million made to qualified plans during fiscal 2017 were not required to be made by the minimum funding requirements of ERISA, but the company believed, due to its strong cash flow and financial position, this was an appropriate time at which to make the contribution in order to reduce the impact of future contributions. During fiscal 2018, the company expects to pay $0.3 million in nonqualified pension benefits from corporate assets. There are no expected contributions to the qualified pension plans required under ERISA and the PPA during fiscal 2018; however, the company made a $10.0 million discretionary contribution to Plan No. 1 in early fiscal 2018. These amounts represent estimates that are based on assumptions that are subject to change.

Benefit Payments

The following are benefits paid under the plans (including settlements) during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 and expected to be paid from fiscal 2018 through fiscal 2027. Estimated future payments include qualified pension benefits that will be paid from the plans’ assets (including potential payments for the lump sum option discussed above) and nonqualified pension benefits that will be paid from corporate assets (amounts in thousands):

Year	Pension Benefits
2015	$	25,014
2016	$	40,864	*
2017	$	38,776	^
Estimated Future Payments:
2018	$	35,458
2019	$	34,025
2020	$	32,945
2021	$	32,023
2022	$	31,040
2023 – 2027	$	122,992

*	Includes $15.7 million and $1.6 million from Plan No. 1 and Plan No. 2, respectively paid as lump sums.

^	Includes $14.4 million and $1.6 million from Plan No. 1 and Plan No. 2, respectively, paid as lump sums.

Postretirement Benefit Plans

The company sponsors postretirement benefit plans that provide health care and life insurance benefits to retirees who meet certain eligibility requirements. Generally, this includes employees with at least 10 years of service who have reached age 55 and participate in a Flowers retirement plan. Retiree medical coverage is provided for a period of three to five years, depending on the participant’s age and service at retirement. Participant premiums are determined using COBRA premium levels. Retiree life insurance benefits are offered to a closed group of retirees. The company also sponsors a medical, dental, and life insurance benefits plan to a limited and closed group of participants.

The company delivers retiree medical and dental benefits for Medicare eligible retirees through a health-care reimbursement account. The company no longer sponsors a medical plan for Medicare eligible retirees and does not file for a Medicare Part D subsidy.

The net periodic benefit (income) cost for the company’s postretirement benefit plans includes the following components for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2016			Fiscal 2015
Service cost	$	256		$	401		$	398
Interest cost		227			309			360
Amortization:
Prior service credit		(212	)		(212	)		(267	)
Actuarial gain		(497	)		(454	)		(583	)
Total net periodic benefit income		(226	)		44			(92	)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Current year actuarial (gain) loss*		188			(2,354	)		(159	)
Amortization of actuarial gain		497			454			583
Amortization of prior service credit		212			212			267
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss		897			(1,688	)		691
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive (income) loss	$	671		$	(1,644	)	$	599

*	In 2015, includes (gain) loss related to (higher) lower than expected Medicare Part D subsidy receipts.

Approximately $(0.6) million will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in fiscal year 2018 relating to the company’s postretirement benefit plans.

The unfunded status and the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the company’s postretirement benefit plans are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	December 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	7,648		$	10,133
Service cost		256			401
Interest cost		227			309
Participant contributions		330			284
Actuarial loss (gain)		188			(2,354	)
Benefits paid		(706	)		(1,125	)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	7,943		$	7,648
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	—		$	—
Employer contributions		376			841
Participant contributions		330			284
Benefits paid		(706	)		(1,125	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	—		$	—
Funded status, end of year:
Fair value of plan assets	$	—		$	—
Benefit obligations		(7,943	)		(7,648	)
Unfunded status and amount recognized at end of year	$	(7,943	)	$	(7,648	)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet:
Current liability	$	(674	)	$	(688	)
Noncurrent liability		(7,269	)		(6,960	)
Amount recognized at end of year	$	(7,943	)	$	(7,648	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Net actuarial gain before taxes	$	(3,846	)	$	(4,531	)
Prior service credit before taxes		(262	)		(474	)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(4,108	)	$	(5,005	)

Assumptions used in accounting for the company’s postretirement benefit plans at each of the respective fiscal years ending are as follows:

	Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2016			Fiscal 2015
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:
Measurement date	12/31/2017			12/31/2016			12/31/2015
Discount rate		3.36	%		3.66	%		3.83	%
Health care cost trend rate used to determine benefit obligations:
Initial rate		6.00	%		6.50	%		8.00	%
Ultimate rate		5.00	%		5.00	%		5.00	%
Year trend reaches the ultimate rate	2022			2023			2022
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost:
Measurement date	1/1/2017			1/1/2016			1/1/2015
Discount rate		3.66	%		3.83	%		3.50	%
Health care cost trend rate used to determine net periodic cost:
Initial rate		6.50	%		8.00	%		8.00	%
Ultimate rate		5.00	%		5.00	%		5.00	%
Year trend reaches the ultimate rate	2023			2022			2021

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects for fiscal years 2017, 2016, and 2015 (amounts in thousands):

	One-Percentage-Point Decrease									One-Percentage-Point Increase
	For the Year Ended									For the Year Ended
	Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2016			Fiscal 2015			Fiscal 2017		Fiscal 2016		Fiscal 2015
Effect on total of service and interest cost	$	(47	)	$	(58	)	$	(65	)	$	55	$	67	$	76
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation	$	(473	)	$	(427	)	$	(554	)	$	533	$	480	$	626

Cash Flows

Company contributions to postretirement plans are as follows (amounts in thousands):

Year	Employer Net Contribution
2015	$	674
2016	$	841
2017	$	376
2018 (Expected)	$	680

The table above reflects only the company’s share of the benefit cost. Since the company no longer receives reimbursement for Medicare Part D subsidies, the entire $0.7 million expected funding for postretirement benefit plans during 2018 will be required to pay for benefits. Contributions by participants to postretirement benefits were $0.3 million, $0.3 million, and $0.2 million for fiscal years 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Benefit Payments

The following are benefits paid by the company during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 and expected to be paid from fiscal 2018 through fiscal 2027. All benefits are expected to be paid from the company’s assets (amounts in thousands):

	Postretirement benefits
Year	Employer gross contribution
2015	$	674
2016	$	841
2017	$	376
Estimated Future Payments:
2018	$	680
2019	$	735
2020	$	708
2021	$	699
2022	$	692
2023 – 2027	$	3,477

Multiemployer Plans

The company contributes to various multiemployer pension plans. Benefits provided under the multiemployer pension plans are generally based on years of service and employee age. Expense under these plans was $2.1 million for fiscal 2017, $2.2 million for fiscal 2016, and $2.1 million for fiscal 2015.

The company contributes to several multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover various union-represented employees. The risks of participating in these multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans. Assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers. If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers. If we choose to stop participating in some of these multiemployer plans, we may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. None of the contributions to the pension funds was in excess of 5% or more of the total contributions for plan years 2017, 2016, and 2015. There are no contractually required minimum contributions to the plans as of December 30, 2017.

On August 18, 2017, the union participants of the Bakery and Confectionary Union and Industry International Pension Fund (the “Fund”) at our Lakeland, Florida plant voted to withdraw from the Fund in the most recent collective bargaining agreement. The withdrawal was effective, and the union participants were eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan, on November 1, 2017. During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the company recorded a liability of $15.2 million related to the withdrawal from the Fund. The withdrawal liability was computed as the net present value of 20 years of monthly payments derived from the company’s share of unfunded vested benefits. While this is our best estimate of the ultimate cost of the withdrawal from this Fund, additional withdrawal liability may be incurred based on the final fund assessment or in the event of a mass withdrawal, as defined by statute following our complete withdrawal. Transition payments, including related tax payments, were made on November 3, 2017 to, and for the benefit of, union participants as part of the collective bargaining agreement. An additional $3.1 million was recorded for these transition payments. The withdrawal liability charge and the transition payments are recorded in the multi-employer pension plan withdrawal costs line item on our Consolidated Statements of Income and are in the DSD Segment. The outstanding liability is recorded in other accrued current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The company’s participation in these multiemployer plans for fiscal 2017 is outlined in the table below. The EIN/Pension Plan Number column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the three-digit plan number, if applicable. Unless otherwise noted, the most recent PPA zone status available in 2017 and 2016 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The zone status is based on information that the company received from the plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration date(s) of the collective-bargaining agreements to which the plans are subject. Finally, there have been no significant changes that affect the comparability of contributions.

In December 2014, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 (the “2015 Appropriations Act”) was signed into law and materially amended the PPA funding rules. In general, the PPA funding rules were made more flexible in order to make more manageable the steps necessary for multi-employer plans to become or remain economically viable in the future. While in previous years we have been informed that several of the multi-employer pension plans to which our subsidiaries contribute have been labeled with a “critical” or “endangered” status as defined by the PPA, the changes made by the 2015 Appropriations Act will materially impact, on a going forward basis, these prior funding status assessments. In any event, it is unclear at this time what impact, if any, the 2015 Appropriations Act will have on our future obligations to the multi-employer pension plans in which we participate.

				Pension Protection Act			Contributions (Amounts in
				Zone Status			thousands)							Expiration Date of
		Pension				FIP/RP Status	2017		2016		2015		Surcharge	Collective Bargaining
Pension Fund	EIN	Plan No.		2017	2016	Pending/Implemented	($)		($)		($)		Imposed	Agreement
IAM National Pension Fund	51-6031295		002	Green	Green	No		139		121		113	No	4/30/2021
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store International Union and Industry Pension Fund	63-0708442		001	Red	Red	Yes		157		156		130	No	8/14/2021
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust	91-6145047		001	Green	Green	No		276		233		271	No	2/4/2022
BC&T International Pension Fund*	52-6118572		001	*	Red	Yes		965		1,194		1,121	Yes	10/25/2020

*	The union employees withdrew from the fund effective November 1, 2017. The collective bargaining agreement is still in effect.

401(k) Retirement Savings Plans

The Flowers Foods 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan covers substantially all of the company’s employees who have completed certain service requirements. During fiscal years 2017, 2016, and 2015, the total cost and employer contributions were as follows (amounts in thousands):

Contributions by fiscal year	Defined contribution plans expense
Fiscal 2017	$	28,346
Fiscal 2016	$	27,057
Fiscal 2015	$	25,473

The company acquired DKB and Alpine during fiscal 2015, at the time of each acquisition we assumed sponsorship of a 401(k) savings plan. We merged these two plans into the Flowers Foods 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan during fiscal 2016 after receipt of final determination letters.