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Commitments and contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified |
12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 28, 2013
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Dec. 29, 2012
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 28, 2013
SunOpta Foods [Member]
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Dec. 29, 2012
SunOpta Foods [Member]
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Dec. 28, 2013
Purchase Commitment [Member]
SunOpta Foods [Member]
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Dec. 29, 2012
Purchase Commitment [Member]
SunOpta Foods [Member]
|
Dec. 28, 2013
Purchase Commitment [Member]
Consumer Products [Member]
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Dec. 29, 2012
Purchase Commitment [Member]
Consumer Products [Member]
|
Jun. 18, 2013
Colorado Sun Oil Processing [Member]
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Dec. 28, 2013
Colorado Sun Oil Processing [Member]
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Jul. 13, 2012
Colorado Sun Oil Processing [Member]
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| Loss Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||||||||||
| Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date | 2010-03-16 | |||||||||||
| Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant | SunOpta Grains and Foods Inc. | |||||||||||
| Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff | Colorado Mills | |||||||||||
| Loss Contingency Judgement Amount | $ 4,816 | |||||||||||
| Litigation Settlement Accrued Interest | 430 | |||||||||||
| Loss Contingency Judgement Date | 2013-06-18 | 2012-01-04 | ||||||||||
| Loss Contingency Bond Amount | 6,875 | |||||||||||
| Loss Contingency Bond Percentage | 125.00% | |||||||||||
| Grain Held For Benefit Of Others | 3,112 | 6,879 | ||||||||||
| Purchase Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed | 66,527 | 70,295 | 17,466 | 12,384 | ||||||||
| Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount | 3,944 | 4,998 | ||||||||||
| Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Minimum Rentals | $ 12,091 | $ 10,704 | $ 10,211 | |||||||||