Segmented Information

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

15. Segmented Information

In the fourth quarter of 2014, following the sale of the Fiber Business (see note 3), the Company implemented changes to its organizational structure to align and focus the operations of SunOpta Foods on two key “go-to-market” categories: ingredient sourcing and supply; and consumer-packaged products. Consequently, the Company realigned the operating segments of SunOpta Foods to reflect the resulting changes in management reporting and accountability to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The segment information presented below for the quarter and three quarters endedOctober 4, 2014 has been restated to reflect the realigned operating segments of SunOpta Foods. The Opta Minerals operating segment remained unchanged.

Effective with the realignment, the Company operates in the following three reportable segments:

• Global Ingredients aggregates the Company’s North American-based Raw Material Sourcing and Supply and European-based International Sourcing and Supply operating segments focused on the procurement and sale of specialty and organic grains and seeds, raw material ingredients, value-added grain- and cocoa-based ingredients, and organic commodities.
• Consumer Products consists of three main platforms: Healthy Beverages, Healthy Fruit and Healthy Snacks. Healthy Beverages include aseptic packaged products including non-dairy and dairybeverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters. Healthy Fruit includes individually quick frozen (“IQF”) fruits and vegetables for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and fruit ingredients. Healthy Snacks including fruit snacks; nutritional and protein bars; and re-sealable pouch products.
• Opta Minerals processes, distributes and recycles industrial minerals, silica-free abrasives, and specialty sands for use in the steel, foundry, loose abrasive cleaning, and municipal water filtration industries.

In addition, Corporate Services provides a variety of management, financial, information technology, treasury and administration services to each of the SunOpta Foods operating segments from the Company’s offices in Brampton, Ontario and Edina, Minnesota.

When reviewing the operating results of the Company’s operating segments, management uses segment revenues from external customers and segment operating income to assess performance and allocate resources. Segment operating income excludes other income or expense items and goodwill impairment losses. In addition, interest expense and income amounts, and provisions for income taxes are not allocated to operating segments.

		Quarter ended
		October 3, 2015
		Global	Consumer	SunOpta	Opta	Consol-
		Ingredients	Products	Foods	Minerals	idated
		$	$	$	$	$
Segment revenues from external customers		150,500	126,713	277,213	28,794	306,007
Segment operating income		4,642	1,863	6,505	2,105	8,610
Corporate Services						(2,405)
Other expense, net						(4,033)
Interest expense, net						(1,919)
Earnings from continuing operations
	before income taxes					253
		Quarter ended
		October 4, 2014
		Global	Consumer	SunOpta	Opta	Consol-
		Ingredients	Products	Foods	Minerals	idated
		$	$	$	$	$
Segment revenues from external customers		156,438	115,570	272,008	35,879	307,887
Segment operating income		6,933	7,988	14,921	898	15,819
Corporate Services						(3,590)
Other expense, net						(11)
Interest expense, net						(1,970)
Impairment loss on investment						(8,441)
Earnings from continuing operations
	before income taxes					1,807

		Three quarters ended
		October 3, 2015
		Global	Consumer	SunOpta	Opta	Consol-
		Ingredients	Products	Foods	Minerals	idated
		$	$	$	$	$
Segment revenues from external customers		467,405	361,351	828,756	87,925	916,681
Segment operating income		23,934	5,115	29,049	2,313	31,362
Corporate Services						(6,006)
Other expense, net						(6,165)
Interest expense, net						(6,835)
Earnings from continuing operations
	before income taxes					12,356
		Three quarters ended
		October 4, 2014
		Global	Consumer	SunOpta	Opta	Consol-
		Ingredients	Products	Foods	Minerals	idated
		$	$	$	$	$
Segment revenues from external customers		477,240	374,934	852,174	105,667	957,841
Segment operating income		19,254	27,412	46,666	3,494	50,160
Corporate Services						(9,201)
Other income, net						993
Interest expense, net						(6,128)
Impairment loss on investment						(8,441)
Earnings from continuing operations
	before income taxes					27,383