v2.4.0.8

Derivative financial instruments and fair value measurements (Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis ) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended							9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended							9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended							9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Other Current [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Other Current [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Other Long Term [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Other Long Term [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Other Current [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Other Current [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Other Long Term [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Other Long Term [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Other Current [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Other Current [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Other Long Term [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Other Long Term [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Other Current [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Other Current [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Sep. 28, 2013 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Other Long Term [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]	Dec. 29, 2012 Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Other Long Term [Member] Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Gain											$ 270	$ 690	$ 0	$ 0							$ 1,807	$ 2,494	$ 12	$ 93							$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0							$ 2,077	$ 3,184	$ 12	$ 93
Unrealized Derivative Loss											0	0	0	0							(3,209)	(1,623)	(161)	(43)							0	0	0	0							(3,209)	(1,623)	(161)	(43)
Inventories Carried At Market						0					0					15,426					11,521					0					0					15,426					11,521
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives	1,950	(3,075)	2,892	(1,178)			0	0	0	0							(188)	(396)	(365)	(327)							0	0	0	0							(188)	(396)	(365)	(327)
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, at Fair Value					$ 0	$ 0									$ 0	$ 0									$ 3,161	$ 4,398									$ 3,161	$ 4,398

X

- Definition

Net realizable value as at the balance sheet date of inventories of commodity grains carried at market.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	stkl_InventoriesCarriedAtMarket
Namespace Prefix:	stkl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value, as of the acquisition date, of potential payments under the contingent consideration arrangement including cash and shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)(3),(c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e6927-128479



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph g(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 29, 30, 41, 42, 64

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 65

-Subparagraph a, b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 25

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6405-128476



Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 35

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910684&loc=d3e4570-128470



Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 25

-Paragraph 7

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6411-128476



Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 30

-Paragraph 18

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18499824&loc=d3e4237-128469



Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 30

-Paragraph 19

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18499824&loc=d3e4243-128469



Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 40

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910732&loc=d3e4805-128471



Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 25

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6408-128476



Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6946367&loc=d3e3642-128468



Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 27

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6946367&loc=d3e3629-128468

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value of derivative asset, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 205G

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44C

-Subparagraph a

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (a),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value of derivative liability, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 205G

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 44C

-Subparagraph a

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4B

-Subparagraph (a),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of derivative instruments, including options, swaps, futures, and forward contracts, held at each balance sheet date, that was included in earnings for the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration