Note 8 - Pension Plans (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2014	Jul. 27, 2013	Jul. 28, 2012	Jul. 30, 2011
Details
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost		$ 3,279	$ 2,694	$ 2,903
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		2,479	2,701	2,575
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets		(2,706)	(2,538)	(2,067)
Defined Benefit Plan Amortization Of (Gains) Losses		2,173	1,371	1,709
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)		8	8	8
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost		5,233	4,236	5,128
Defined Benefit Plan, Future Amortization of Gain (Loss)	804
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation		53,034	55,873
Defined Benefit Plan, Amount of Employer and Related Party Securities Included in Plan Assets		837	804
Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	3,000
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 152 Retail Meat Pension Fund Contribution				644
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation				7,028
United Food And Commercial Workers Local 152 Retail Meat Pension Fund Pre-tax Benefit			646
Other Postretirement Multiemployer Benefit Plans Contributions		22,421	20,062	18,007
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		377	331	309
Union sponsored defined contribution		$ 802	$ 690	$ 539