Gross Amount of debt issuance costs (for example, but not limited to, legal, accounting, broker, and regulatory fees)

No definition available.

Name:	stkl_DebtInstrumentGrossIssuanceExpense
Namespace Prefix:	stkl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reflects when the credit facility was amendment, subsequent to when it first became available.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	stkl_LineOfCreditFacilityAmendmentDate
Namespace Prefix:	stkl_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount equal to the present value (the principal) at the beginning of the lease term of minimum lease payments during the lease term (excluding that portion of the payments representing executory costs such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes to be paid by the lessor, together with any profit thereon) net of payments or other amounts applied to the principal through the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6455398&loc=d3e45280-112737

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The reference rate for the variable rate of the debt instrument, such as LIBOR or the US Treasury rate and the maturity of the reference rate used, such as three months or six months LIBOR.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of the frequency of periodic payments (monthly, quarterly, annual).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFrequencyOfPeriodicPayment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of debt redemption features under terms of the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionDescription
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of principal amount of debt redeemed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageOfPrincipalAmountRedeemed
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date the credit facility terminates, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) of the credit facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityIncreaseDecreaseForPeriodNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the credit facility first became available, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInitiationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow for payment of an obligation from a lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate amount of redemption requirements for each class or type of redeemable stock classified as temporary equity for each of the five years following the latest balance sheet date. The redemption requirement does not constitute an unconditional obligation that will be settled in a variable number of shares constituting a monetary value predominantly indexed to (a) a fixed monetary amount known at inception, (b) an amount inversely correlated with the residual value of the entity, or (c) an amount determined by reference to something other than the fair value of issuer's stock. Does not include mandatorily redeemable stock. The exception is if redemption is required upon liquidation or termination of the reporting entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAggregateAmountOfRedemptionRequirement
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The remaining balance of debt issuance expenses that were capitalized and are being amortized against income over the lives of the respective bond issues. This does not include the amounts capitalized as part of the cost of the utility plant or asset.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=stkl_GlobalCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_PrimeRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=stkl_WorkingCapitalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=stkl_OrganicCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=stkl_EuropeanRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	stkl_MachineryAndEquipmentAxis=country_BG
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=stkl_EuroInterbankOfferedRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	stkl_RedemptionOptionsAxis=stkl_Redemption1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	stkl_RedemptionOptionsAxis=stkl_Redemption2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	stkl_RedemptionOptionsAxis=stkl_Redemption3Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	stkl_RedemptionOptionsAxis=stkl_Redemption4Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				24 Months Ended
	Feb. 11, 2016 USD ($)	Jul. 01, 2017 USD ($)	Jul. 02, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 27, 2017 EUR (€)	Jul. 01, 2017 USD ($)	Jul. 02, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 08, 2022	Oct. 08, 2021	Oct. 08, 2020	Oct. 08, 2019	Oct. 08, 2018	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 20, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 07, 2016 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of line of credit facilities		$ 0	$ 0		$ 0	$ 192,677
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		237,107			237,107							$ 201,494
Capital Lease Obligations		6,661			6,661							7,454
Temporary Equity Aggregate Amount Of Redemption Requirement														$ 85,000
Global Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date	Feb. 11, 2016
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 350,000
Line Of Credit Facility Increase Decrease In Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 100,000
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	Feb. 10, 2021
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		$ 236,275			$ 236,275							199,281
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		3.07%			3.07%
Global Credit Facility [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis					LIBOR
Global Credit Facility [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis					Prime rate
Maximum [Member] \| Global Credit Facility [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
Maximum [Member] \| Global Credit Facility [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.75%
Minimum [Member] \| Global Credit Facility [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.25%
Minimum [Member] \| Global Credit Facility [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.25%
Working Capital [Member] \| Organic Corporation [Member] \| European Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Bulgaria [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date				May 22, 2013
Line Of Credit Facility Amendment Date				Apr. 27, 2017
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity \| €				€ 4.5
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date				May 31, 2017
Working Capital [Member] \| Organic Corporation [Member] \| European Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Bulgaria [Member] \| Euro Interbank Offered Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				2.75%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis					EURIBOR
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		2.75%			2.75%
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount													$ 231,000
Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment					Semi-annually in arrears April 15 and October 15
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date					Oct. 09, 2022
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage													10.40%
Debt Instrument Gross Issuance Expense													$ 9,300
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage													9.50%
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense		$ 8,525			$ 8,525							$ 8,835
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes \| Redemption 1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage							100.00%	102.375%	104.75%	107.125%
Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed							100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes \| Redemption 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Redemption Description											In addition, prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.500% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption.
Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage											109.50%
Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed											35.00%
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes \| Redemption 3 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Redemption Description											At any time prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may also redeem, during each twelve-month period beginning on October 20, 2016, up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a price equal to 103.000% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption.
Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage											103.00%
Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed											10.00%
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes \| Redemption 4 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Redemption Description					In the event of a change of control, SunOpta Foods will be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at 101.000% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase.
Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage					101.00%
Debt Instrument Redemption Price Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed					100.00%