Inventories (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Oct. 09, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Business Combination, Inventory Adjustment Fair Value				$ 19,000
Acquisition accounting adjustment on inventory sold	$ 4,000	$ 0	$ 0

For inventories acquired in a business combination, this element represents the acquisition accounting adjustment to record inventories at estimated fair value.

No definition available.

Name:	stkl_BusinessCombinationInventoryAdjustmentFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	stkl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant