Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5,475	$ 2,274	$ 7,768
Accounts receivable	135,167	117,412
Inventories	357,146	371,223
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,399	20,088
Current income taxes recoverable	21,722	21,728
Current assets held for sale	59,732	64,330
Assets, Current, Total	601,641	597,055
Property, Plant and Equipment	173,552	176,513
Goodwill	242,047	241,690
Intangible Assets	192,284	195,008
Deferred income taxes	970	958
Other assets	12,131	7,979
Assets, Total	1,222,625	1,219,203
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness	202,444	159,773
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	134,318	151,831
Customer and other deposits	4,259	5,322
Income taxes payable	2,745	1,720
Other current liabilities	1,143	1,521
Current portion of long-term debt	2,226	1,773
Current portion of long-term liabilities	5,243	5,243
Current liabilities held for sale	48,597	52,486
Liabilities, Current, Total	400,975	379,669
Long-term debt	313,911	321,222
Long-term liabilities	17,934	17,809
Deferred income taxes	70,649	74,324
Liabilities, Total	803,469	793,024
Sunopta Inc Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	298,099	297,987
Additional paid in capital	23,366	22,327
Retained earnings	96,605	106,838
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(4,295)	(6,113)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total	413,775	421,039
Non-controlling interest	5,381	5,140
Total Equity	419,156	426,179	$ 353,328
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$ 1,222,625	$ 1,219,203
Commitments and contingencies