Segmented Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 03, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

		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