Post-Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jul. 16, 2011

Jul. 17, 2010

Jul. 16, 2011

Jul. 17, 2010

Jul. 16, 2011

Tasty Baking Company [Member]

May 20, 2011

Tasty Baking Company [Member]

Jul. 16, 2011

Maximum [Member]

Jul. 16, 2011

Maximum [Member]

Prior to January 1, 2006 [Member]

Jul. 16, 2011

Prior to January 1, 2006 [Member]

Contribution of company to company pension plans

$ 3,300,000

Defined benefit plan contributions acquired in acquisition

2,300,000

Defined benefit plans, unfunded obligation

23,800,000

Defined benefit plan, postretirement unfunded obligation

5,200,000

Contribution for employees who participate in pension plan

25.00%

Defined benefit plan, contributions by the employees

400

Contribution as a percentage on compensation

3.00%

6.00%

2.00%

Employees' contribution

50.00%

Total cost and contribution

$ 4,100,000

$ 3,900,000

$ 10,100,000

$ 9,400,000

Description of pension plan

The Flowers Foods 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan ("the Plan") covers substantially all of the company's employees who have completed certain service requirements. The cost and contributions for those employees who also participate in the defined benefit pension plan is 25% of the first $400 contributed by the employee. Prior to January 1, 2006, the costs and contributions for employees who do not participate in the defined benefit pension plan was 2% of compensation and 50% of the employees' contributions, up to 6% of compensation. Effective January 1, 2006, the costs and contributions for employees who do not participate in the defined benefit pension plan increased to 3% of compensation and 50% of the employees' contributions, up to 6% of compensation. During the twelve weeks ended July 16, 2011 and July 17, 2010, the total cost and contributions were $4.1 million and $3.9 million, respectively. During the twenty-eight weeks ended July 16, 2011 and July 17, 2010, the total cost and contributions were $10.1 million and $9.4 million, respectively.

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Defined benefit plan contributions acquired in acquisition.

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Percentage Contribution For Employees Participating In Plan

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Percentage Contribution On Compensation For Employees Not Participating In Plan

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Percentage Of Employees Contribution

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This represents the entire liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans.

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The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer.

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Description of the terms and benefits provided by the employer's defined contribution plans. A defined contribution plan provides benefits in return for services rendered, provides an individual account for each participant, and has terms that specify how contributions to the individual's account are to be determined rather than the amount of benefits the individual is to receive. Under a defined contribution pension plan, the benefits a participant will receive depend solely on the amount contributed to the participant's account, the returns earned on investments of those contributions, and forfeitures of other participants' benefits that may be allocated to such participant's account. A description of the plan(s) including employee groups covered, the basis for determining contributions, and the nature and effects of significant matters affecting comparability of information for all periods presented.

+ References

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This represents the entire liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with other postretirement defined benefit plans (excluding pension plans).

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