Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,187	$ 2,378
Accounts receivable	115,979	88,898
Inventories	224,556	228,455
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,851	21,378
Current income taxes recoverable	1,106	1,503
Deferred income taxes	4,946	4,773
Current assets held for sale	0	17,923
	373,625	365,308
Investments	33,845	33,845
Property, Plant and Equipment	135,709	120,584
Goodwill	57,008	49,387
Intangible Assets	54,416	48,035
Deferred income taxes	12,435	11,751
Other assets	2,270	1,854
Non-current assets held for sale	0	739
	669,308	631,503
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness	111,237	109,718
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	118,928	114,308
Customer and other deposits	3,493	843
Income taxes payable	3,117	1,229
Other current liabilities	3,809	1,419
Current portion of long-term debt	5,924	35,198
Current portion of long-term liabilities	569	995
Current liabilities held for sale	0	5,920
	247,077	269,630
Long-term debt	47,836	17,066
Long-term liabilities	6,586	5,586
Deferred income taxes	30,689	24,273
	332,188	316,555
Sunopta Inc Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Common shares	182,916	182,108
Additional paid in capital	16,147	14,134
Retained earnings	120,349	100,508
Accumulated other comprehensive income	795	2,382
	320,207	299,132
Non-controlling interest	16,913	15,816
Total equity	337,120	314,948
	$ 669,308	$ 631,503