v2.4.0.8

Segmented information (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 302,723	$ 279,339	$ 896,718	$ 820,975
Segment operating income (loss)	9,836	12,691	33,812	39,820
Other expense (income), net	787	264	1,799	2,006
Goodwill impairment	3,552	0	3,552	0
Interest expense, net	1,957	2,339	5,885	7,480
Impairment loss on investments	0	0	21,495	0
Provision for income taxes	1,343	3,947	8,576	10,302
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	2,197	6,141	(7,495)	20,032
US
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	235,550	221,881	684,167	642,279
CA
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	15,815	14,293	48,116	47,157
Europe And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	51,358	43,165	164,435	131,539
SunOpta Foods [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	267,796	246,359	788,104	728,449
Segment operating income (loss)	10,430	10,835	34,338	36,423
SunOpta Foods [Member] | US
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	215,314	201,878	622,629	585,642
SunOpta Foods [Member] | CA
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	9,167	6,294	28,013	24,393
SunOpta Foods [Member] | Europe And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	43,315	38,187	137,462	118,414
Opta Minerals Inc Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	34,927	32,980	108,614	92,526
Segment operating income (loss)	1,704	3,280	5,070	8,178
Opta Minerals Inc Segment [Member] | US
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	20,236	20,003	61,538	56,637
Opta Minerals Inc Segment [Member] | CA
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	6,648	7,999	20,103	22,764
Opta Minerals Inc Segment [Member] | Europe And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	8,043	4,978	26,973	13,125
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Segment operating income (loss)	(2,298)	(1,424)	(5,596)	(4,781)
Corporate Segment [Member] | US
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Corporate Segment [Member] | CA
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Corporate Segment [Member] | Europe And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Grains And Foods [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	143,051	139,917	418,455	397,096
Segment operating income (loss)	7,227	8,780	24,251	27,662
Grains And Foods [Member] | US
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	124,968	123,661	354,135	346,507
Grains And Foods [Member] | CA
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	4,611	2,997	14,316	12,238
Grains And Foods [Member] | Europe And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	13,472	13,259	50,004	38,351
Ingredients [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	23,962	20,273	67,458	62,408
Segment operating income (loss)	1,649	878	3,601	2,946
Ingredients [Member] | US
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	22,042	18,268	61,243	55,804
Ingredients [Member] | CA
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	1,198	1,149	3,641	4,049
Ingredients [Member] | Europe And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	722	856	2,574	2,555
Consumer Products [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	49,318	41,636	149,594	135,879
Segment operating income (loss)	628	(544)	2,508	(549)
Consumer Products [Member] | US
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	46,945	41,310	143,991	133,246
Consumer Products [Member] | CA
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	1,811	195	4,622	1,311
Consumer Products [Member] | Europe And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	562	131	981	1,322
International Foods [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	51,465	44,533	152,597	133,066
Segment operating income (loss)	926	1,721	3,978	6,364
International Foods [Member] | US
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	21,359	18,639	63,260	50,085
International Foods [Member] | CA
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	1,547	1,953	5,434	6,795
International Foods [Member] | Europe And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 28,559	$ 23,941	$ 83,903	$ 76,186

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