Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,639	$ 2,274	$ 7,768
Accounts receivable	173,880	117,412
Inventories	393,689	371,223
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	23,455	20,088
Current income taxes recoverable	9,390	21,728
Current assets held for sale	0	64,330
Assets, Current, Total	602,053	597,055
Property, Plant and Equipment	161,252	176,513
Goodwill	241,585	241,690
Intangible Assets	186,603	195,008
Deferred income taxes	958	958
Other assets	11,797	7,979
Assets, Total	1,204,248	1,219,203
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness	226,651	159,773
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	170,343	151,831
Customer and other deposits	1,029	5,322
Income taxes payable	4,189	1,720
Other current liabilities	1,208	1,521
Current portion of long-term debt	2,159	1,773
Current portion of long-term liabilities	5,365	5,243
Current liabilities held for sale	0	52,486
Liabilities, Current, Total	410,944	379,669
Long-term debt	317,484	321,222
Long-term liabilities	15,828	17,809
Deferred income taxes	54,564	74,324
Liabilities, Total	798,820	793,024
Sunopta Inc Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	299,470	297,987
Additional paid in capital	24,931	22,327
Retained earnings	89,126	106,838
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(10,699)	(6,113)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total	402,828	421,039
Non-controlling interest	2,600	5,140
Total Equity	405,428	426,179	353,328
Liabilities and Equity, Total	1,204,248	$ 1,219,203
Commitments and contingencies