10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 30, 2019

OR

[   ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______________to _______________ .

Commission file number: 001-34198

SUNOPTA INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

CANADA	Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
2233 Argentia Road
Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2X7, Canada	(905) 821-9669
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [X]      No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes [X]      No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company", and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer [X]	Accelerated filer [   ]
Non-accelerated filer [   ]	Smaller reporting company [   ]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Emerging growth company [   ]

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes [   ]      No [X]

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Shares	STKL	The Nasdaq Stock Market
Common Shares	SOY	The Toronto Stock Exchange

The number of the registrant’s common shares outstanding as of May 3, 2019 was 87,584,158.

SUNOPTA INC.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 30, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements (unaudited)
	Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018	5
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018	6
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as at March 30, 2019 and December 29, 2018	7
	Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity as at and for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018	8
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018	9
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	10
Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	28
Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	43
Item 4	Controls and Procedures	43
PART II	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1	Legal Proceedings	44
Item 1A	Risk Factors	44
Item 6	Exhibits	44

Basis of Presentation

Except where the context otherwise requires, all references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Form 10-Q") to the "Company", "SunOpta", "we", "us", "our" or similar words and phrases are to SunOpta Inc. and its subsidiaries, taken together.

In this report, all currency amounts presented are expressed in thousands of United States ("U.S.") dollars ("$"), except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated. Other amounts may be presented in thousands of Canadian dollars ("C$"), euros ("€") and Mexican pesos ("M$"). As at March 30, 2019, the closing rates of exchange for the Canadian dollar, euro and Mexican peso, expressed in U.S. dollars, based on Bank of Canada exchange rates, were C$0.7483, €1.1227 and M$0.0516. These rates are provided solely for convenience and do not necessarily reflect the rates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements which are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and are typically accompanied by words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "target," "intend," "project," "potential," "continue," "believe," "expect," "can," "could," "would," "should," "may," "might," "plan," "will," "may," "predict," "budget," "forecast," the negatives of such terms, and words and phrases of similar impact and include, but are not limited to references to future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions; our ability to rationalize certain expenses and redeploy capital to enhance our focus on growing our consumer products and international organic ingredients operations following the sale of our soy and corn business; our intention to implement business strategies and operational actions, and make structural investments under the Value Creation Plan, and the associated timing and costs of these actions; expected synergies, opportunities, revenues and earnings related to business acquisitions; timing related to our organic avocado oil facility, aseptic capacity expansion, and automation in our frozen fruit operations; our expectations regarding raw fruit availability and field pricing, as well as related impacts on production yields, manufacturing costs and plant utilization; our expectations regarding future customer demand and changing consumer preferences; other expectations related to our businesses, including operational growth and expansion plans, plans to reduce costs and improve profitability, intent and ability to bring new products and processes to market through innovation, and the global markets for our products; and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, expectations and analyses we make in light of our experience and our interpretation of current conditions, historical trends and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate in the circumstances.

SUNOPTA INC.  1  March 30, 2019 10-Q

Whether actual results and developments will be consistent with and meet our expectations and predictions is subject to many risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations and predictions. We believe these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

• failure or inability to implement our value creation strategies to achieve anticipated benefits;

• conflicts of interest between our significant investors and our other stakeholders;

• disruptions to our business caused by shareholder activism;

• product liability suits, recalls and threatened market withdrawals that may arise or be brought against us;

• food safety concerns and instances of food-borne illnesses that could harm our business;

• litigation and regulatory enforcement concerning marketing and labeling of food products;

• significant food and health regulations to which we are subject;

• ability to obtain additional capital as required to maintain current growth rates;

• the potential for impairment charges for goodwill or other intangible assets;

• the highly competitive industry in which we operate;

• that our customers may choose not to buy products from us;

• the potential loss of one or more key customers;

• changes and difficulty in predicting consumer preferences for natural and organic food products;

• our ability to effectively manage our supply chain;

• volatility in the prices of raw materials, freight and energy;

• the availability of organic and non-genetically modified ingredients;

• unfavorable growing and operating conditions due to adverse weather conditions;

• an interruption at one or more of our manufacturing facilities;

• technology failures that could disrupt our operations and negatively impact our business;

• the potential for data breaches and the need to comply with data privacy and protection laws and regulations;

• the loss of service of our key management;

• labor shortages or increased labor costs;

• technological innovation by our competitors;

• ability to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights;

SUNOPTA INC.  2  March 30, 2019 10-Q

• changes in laws or regulations governing foreign trade or taxation;

• agricultural policies that influence our operations;

• substantial environmental regulation and policies to which we are subject;

• changes in laws or regulations governing climate change;

• the enactment of new climate change laws;

• fluctuations in exchange rates, interest rates and the prices of certain commodities;

• exposure to our international operations;

• increased vulnerability to economic downturns and adverse industry conditions due to our level of indebtedness;

• restrictions under the terms of our debt and equity instruments on how we may operate our business;

• our ability to renew our revolving asset-based credit facility (the "Global Credit Facility") when it becomes due on February 10, 2021;

• our ability to meet the financial covenants under the Global Credit Facility or to obtain necessary waivers from our lenders;

• our ability to effectively manage our growth and integrate acquired companies;

• our ability to achieve the estimated benefits or synergies to be realized from business acquisitions;

• exposure to unknown liabilities arising from business acquisitions;

• unexpected disruptions in our business, including disruptions resulting from business acquisitions;

• our ability to successfully consummate possible future divestitures of businesses;

• volatility of our operating results and share price;

• that we do not currently intend to, and are restricted in our ability to, pay any cash dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future;

• dilution in the value of our common shares through the exchange of convertible preferred stock, exercise of stock options, participation in our employee stock purchase plan and issuance of additional securities; and

• impact of the publication of industry analyst research or reports about our business on the value of our common shares.

SUNOPTA INC.  3  March 30, 2019 10-Q

All forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements, and our actual results or the developments we anticipate may not be realized. Our forward-looking statements are based only on information currently available to us and speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update our forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, after the date of this report for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018. Additional information about these factors and about the material factors or assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements may be found under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018, and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators.

SUNOPTA INC.  4  March 30, 2019 10-Q

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
	$		$
Revenues	305,275		312,652
Cost of goods sold	277,069		278,968
Gross profit	28,206		33,684
Selling, general and administrative expenses	26,248		28,288
Intangible asset amortization	2,742		2,771
Other income, net (note 10)	(43,512	)	(402	)
Foreign exchange loss (gain)	(1,104	)	962
Earnings before the following	43,832		2,065
Interest expense, net	8,739		8,220
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	35,093		(6,155	)
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes	9,498		(1,693	)
Net earnings (loss)	25,595		(4,462	)
Earnings attributable to non-controlling interests	(54	)	(99	)
Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.	25,649		(4,363	)
Dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock (note 9)	(1,995	)	(1,967	)
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	23,654		(6,330	)
Earnings (loss) per share (note 11)
Basic	0.27		(0.07	)
Diluted	0.26		(0.07	)
(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements)

 

SUNOPTA INC. 5 March 30, 2019 10-Q

 

SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
	$		$
Net earnings (loss)	25,595		(4,462	)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of income taxes
Changes related to cash flow hedges (note 5)
Unrealized gains, net	-		573
Reclassification of net losses to earnings	-		134
Net changes related to cash flow hedges	-		707
Currency translation adjustment	(1,082	)	1,456
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of income taxes	(1,082	)	2,163
Comprehensive earnings (loss)	24,513		(2,299	)
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	(46	)	21
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.	24,559		(2,320	)
(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements)

SUNOPTA INC. 6 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at March 30, 2019 and December 29, 2018
(Unaudited)
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
			March 30, 2019		December 29, 2018
			$		$
ASSETS
Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		6,015		3,280
	Accounts receivable		120,335		132,131
	Inventories (note 6)		329,930		361,957
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		31,456		29,024
	Income taxes recoverable		7,096		7,029
Total current assets			494,832		533,421
Property, plant and equipment			163,532		171,032
Operating lease right-of-use assets (note 7)			75,503		-
Goodwill			26,292		27,959
Intangible assets			158,223		160,975
Deferred income taxes			182		182
Other assets			3,162		3,169
Total assets			921,726		896,738
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
	Bank indebtedness (note 8)		223,989		280,334
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		127,877		155,371
	Customer and other deposits		1,543		1,445
	Income taxes payable		4,246		2,208
	Other current liabilities		437		862
	Current portion of long-term debt (note 8)		1,816		1,840
	Current portion of operating lease liabilities (note 7)		17,432		-
	Current portion of long-term liabilities		4,286		4,286
Total current liabilities			381,626		446,346
Long-term debt (note 8)			228,436		227,023
Operating lease liabilities (note 7)			58,910		-
Long-term liabilities			1,259		2,079
Deferred income taxes			15,476		8,149
Total liabilities			685,707		683,597
Series A Preferred Stock (note 9)			81,597		81,302
EQUITY
SunOpta Inc. shareholders' equity
	Common shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized,
		87,575,447 shares issued (December 29, 2018 - 87,423,280)	315,202		314,357
	Additional paid-in capital		31,016		31,796
	Accumulated deficit		(182,497	)	(206,151	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(10,757	)	(9,667	)
			152,964		130,335
Non-controlling interests			1,458		1,504
Total equity			154,422		131,839
Total equity and liabilities			921,726		896,738
Commitments and contingencies (note 13)
(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements)

SUNOPTA INC. 7 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
As at and for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
	Common shares		Additional paid-in capital		Accumulated deficit		Accumulated other com-prehensive loss		Non-controlling interests		Total
	000s	$	$		$		$		$		$
Balance at December 29, 2018	87,423	314,357	31,796		(206,151	)	(9,667	)	1,504		131,839
Employee stock purchase plan	56	148	-		-		-		-		148
Stock incentive plan	96	697	(534	)	-		-		-		163
Withholding taxes on stock-based awards	-	-	(83	)	-		-		-		(83	)
Stock-based compensation	-	-	(163	)	-		-		-		(163	)
Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock (note 9)	-	-	-		(1,700	)	-		-		(1,700	)
Accretion on Series A Preferred Stock (note 9)	-	-	-		(295	)	-		-		(295	)
Net earnings	-	-	-		25,649		-		(54	)	25,595
Currency translation adjustment	-	-	-		-		(1,090	)	8		(1,082	)
Balance at March 30, 2019	87,575	315,202	31,016		(182,497	)	(10,757	)	1,458		154,422
	Common shares		Additional paid-in capital		Accumulated deficit		Accumulated other com-prehensive loss		Non-controlling interests		Total
	000s	$	$		$		$		$		$
Balance at December 30, 2017	86,757	308,899	28,006		(89,291	)	(7,268	)	1,575		241,921
Employee stock purchase plan	23	136	-		-		-		-		136
Stock incentive plan	60	540	(527	)	-		-		-		13
Stock-based compensation	-	-	2,171		-		-		-		2,171
Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock	-	-	-		(1,700	)	-		-		(1,700	)
Accretion on Series A Preferred Stock	-	-	-		(267	)	-		-		(267	)
Net loss	-	-	-		(4,363	)	-		(99	)	(4,462	)
Currency translation adjustment	-	-	-		-		1,336		120		1,456
Cash flow hedges, net of income taxes of $303	-	-	-		-		707		-		707
Cumulative effect of adoption of new revenue accounting standard	-	-	-		254		-		-		254
Balance at March 31, 2018	86,840	309,575	29,650		(95,367	)	(5,225	)	1,596		240,229

SUNOPTA INC. 8 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018
(Unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
		Quarter ended
		March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
		$		$
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)
Operating activities
Net earnings (loss)		25,595		(4,462	)
Items not affecting cash:
	Depreciation and amortization	8,302		8,141
	Amortization of debt issuance costs	655		608
	Deferred income taxes	7,327		(1,286	)
	Stock-based compensation	(163	)	2,171
	Unrealized loss on derivative contracts (note 5)	112		1,521
	Gain on sale of business (note 3)	(45,579	)	-
	Fair value of contingent consideration (note 10)	-		(2,416	)
	Impairment of long-lived assets (note 4)	-		339
	Other	(62	)	1
	Changes in non-cash working capital (note 12)	4,801		2,889
Net cash flows from operations		988		7,506
Investing activities
Net proceeds from sale of business (note 3)		64,876		-
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(7,974	)	(6,735	)
Proceeds from sale of assets (note 4)		-		700
Net cash flows from investing activities		56,902		(6,035	)
Financing activities
Increase (decrease) under line of credit facilities (note 8)		(54,661	)	309
Borrowings under long-term debt (note 8)		1,852		-
Repayment of long-term debt (note 8)		(723	)	(522	)
Payment of cash dividends on Series A Preferred Stock (note 9)		(1,700	)	(1,700	)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee share purchases		228		149
Payment of debt issuance costs		(314	)	-
Other		221		(40	)
Net cash flows from financing activities		(55,097	)	(1,804	)
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash held in a foreign currency		(58	)	29
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the period		2,735		(304	)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of the period		3,280		3,228
Cash and cash equivalents - end of the period		6,015		2,924
Non-cash financing activity
Accrued cash dividends on Series A Preferred Stock (note 9)		(1,700	)	(1,700	)
(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements)

SUNOPTA INC. 9 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

1.  Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

SunOpta Inc. (the "Company" or "SunOpta") was incorporated under the laws of Canada on November 13, 1973.  The Company operates businesses focused on a healthy products portfolio that promotes sustainable well-being.  The Company's two reportable segments, Global Ingredients and Consumer Products, operate in the natural, organic and specialty food sectors and utilize an integrated business model to bring cost-effective and quality products to market. 

Basis of Presentation

The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information.  Accordingly, these condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation have been included and all such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature.  Operating results for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 28, 2019 or for any other period.  The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 29, 2018, except as described below under "Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adoption of New Accounting Standards".  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018.

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Company consists of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31.  Fiscal year 2019 is a 52-week period ending on December 28, 2019, with quarterly periods ending on March 30, June 29 and September 28, 2019.  Fiscal year 2018 was a 52-week period ending on December 29, 2018, with quarterly periods ending on March 31, June 30 and September 29, 2018. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of New Accounting Standard

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, "Leases" ("ASC Topic 842"), which amends various aspects of legacy accounting guidance for leases, including the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases classified as operating leases.  The Company adopted ASC Topic 842 on a modified retrospective basis beginning the first quarter of 2019, and elected the transition option not to apply the new guidance, including disclosure requirements, in comparative reporting periods.  Upon adoption, the Company also elected to apply the practical expedients available under the standard to not reassess its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs.  As a result, the adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not result in any cumulative-effect adjustment to the Company's opening accumulated deficit.  The adoption of the new guidance resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as at March 30, 2019, while the accounting for finance leases remained unchanged.  The new guidance did not have any impact on the consolidated results of operations or cash flows of the Company for the first quarter of 2019. 

See note 7 for additional disclosures under ASC Topic 842.

Recently Issued Accounting Standard, Not Adopted as at March 30, 2019

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which requires measurement and recognition of expected versus incurred credit losses for most financial assets.  The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

SUNOPTA INC. 10 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

2.  Revenue

The Company sources, processes and packages organic and natural food products, including specialty and organic raw commodities and value-added ingredients, and consumer-ready beverage, frozen fruit and fruit snack products.  The Company's customers include retailers, foodservice operators, branded food companies and food manufacturers. 

The following table presents a disaggregation of the Company's revenues based on categories used by the Company to evaluate sales performance: 

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019	March 31, 2018
	$	$
Global Ingredients
Internationally-sourced organic ingredients	105,884	102,267
North American-sourced seeds and grains(1)	22,159	34,064
Total Global Ingredients	128,043	136,331
Consumer Products
Beverage products(2)	88,069	85,250
Frozen fruit products(3)	76,677	77,471
Snack products(4)	12,486	13,600
Total Consumer Products	177,232	176,321
Total revenues	305,275	312,652

(1)Includes revenues from the specialty and organic soy and corn business prior to the sale of this business in the first quarter of 2019 (see note 3).

(2)Includes aseptically-packaged products including non-dairy plant-based beverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters.

(3)Includes individually quick frozen ("IQF") fruit for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and custom fruit preparations for industrial use. 

(4)Comprises fruit snack offerings, as well as the sale of $2.6 million of flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar products in the first quarter of 2018. The Company exited the flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines and operations in the fourth quarter of 2017 but continued to deliver remaining inventories to customers during the first quarter of 2018.

SUNOPTA INC. 11 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

3.  Sale of Soy and Corn Business

On February 22, 2019, the Company's subsidiary, SunOpta Grains and Foods Inc., completed the sale of its specialty and organic soy and corn business to Pipeline Foods, LLC ("Pipeline Foods") for $66.5 million, which is subject to certain post-closing adjustments including the finalization of the closing working capital balance.  The soy and corn business engaged in seed and grain conditioning and corn milling and formed part of the Company's Global Ingredients reportable segment.  The business included five facilities located in Hope, Minnesota, Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, Ellendale, Minnesota, Moorhead, Minnesota, and Cresco, Iowa.  The net proceeds from this transaction were initially used to repay borrowings under the Company's Global Credit Facility (see note 8).

Pending finalization of the post-closing adjustments, the Company recognized the following gain on sale of the soy and corn business, which was recorded in other income for the quarter ended March 30, 2019:

	$
Cash consideration	66,500
Transaction and related costs	(1,624	)
Net proceeds	64,876
Current assets	22,810
Property, plant and equipment	8,423
Goodwill	1,526
Current liabilities	(13,462	)
Net assets sold	19,297
Pre-tax gain on sale	45,579

As the soy and corn business did not qualify for presentation as discontinued operations, operating results for this business prior to February 22, 2019 were reported in continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations for the current and comparative periods.  For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, the soy and corn business generated revenues of $10.3 million and $21.4 million, respectively.  The soy and corn business reported a loss before income taxes of $0.2 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, and earnings before income taxes of $2.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.  These pre-tax results exclude management fees charged by Corporate Services and do not reflect other cost reduction measures associated with the sale of the soy and corn business that were taken in connection with the Value Creation Plan (see note 4).

4.  Value Creation Plan

Overview

In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company conducted a thorough review of its operations, management and governance, with the objective of maximizing the Company's ability to deliver long-term value to its shareholders.  As a product of this review, the Company developed a Value Creation Plan built on four pillars: portfolio optimization, operational excellence, go-to-market effectiveness, and process sustainability.  In addition to the sale of the Company's soy and corn business (as described in note 3) and related cost reduction measures, other actions taken under the Value Creation Plan have included the rationalization of certain of the Company's operations and facilities, including the closure of the Company's juice facility in San Bernardino, California, in the fourth quarter of 2016, the exit from flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines and operations initiated in the fourth quarter of 2017, and the consolidation of roasted snack operations and related disposal of the Company's roasting facility in Wahpeton, North Dakota, in the second quarter of 2018, as well as other cost savings initiatives.  In addition, other actions taken to-date under the Value Creation Plan include investments in certain of the Company's operations and facilities to enhance food safety and quality and to improve production efficiencies, as well as investments in personnel, processes and tools.

SUNOPTA INC. 12 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

Costs Incurred Under the Value Creation Plan

The following table summarizes costs incurred under the Value Creation Plan for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018:

			Employee
	Asset		recruitment,		Consulting
	impairments		retention and		fees and
	and facility		termination		temporary
	closure costs(a)		costs(b)		labor costs		Total
	$		$		$		$
March 30, 2019
Balance payable, December 29, 2018(1)	477		436		-		913
Costs incurred and charged to expense	256		1,508		94		1,858
Cash payments, net	(381	)	(1,374	)	(94	)	(1,849	)
Non-cash adjustments	-		2,102				2,102
Balance payable, March 30, 2019(1)	352		2,672		-		3,024
March 31, 2018
Balance payable (receivable), December 31, 2017	(700	)	4,427		-		3,727
Costs incurred and charged to expense	1,650		435		110		2,195
Cash receipts (payments), net	700		(2,883	)	(110	)	(2,293	)
Non-cash adjustments	(339	)	-		-		(339	)
Balance payable, March 31, 2018	1,311		1,979		-		3,290

(1)Balance payable was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

(a)Asset impairments and facility closure costs

For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, costs incurred included costs to dismantle and move equipment from the Company's soy extraction facility in Heuvelton, New York, which was closed in December 2016.  As at March 30, 2019, the balance payable represented the remaining lease obligation (net of sublease rentals) related to the Company's former nutritional bar facility.  The lease and sublease on this facility extend to December 2020.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, costs incurred included the remaining lease obligation related to the former nutrition bar facility, and an impairment loss related to the disposal of the Company's roasting facility in Wahpeton, North Dakota.  Net cash receipts reflected proceeds on the sale of nutrition bar equipment.       

(b)Employee recruitment, retention and termination costs

For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, costs incurred included severance benefits related to the termination of the Company's former President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") in February 2019, and employee terminations from cost rationalizations associated with the sale of the soy and corn business, net of the reversal of $2.1 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation related to forfeited awards of terminated employees.  In addition, costs incurred included recruitment costs related to the Company's CEO transition, and accrued retention bonuses for certain employees who remain employed by the Company through specified retention dates.  As at March 30, 2019, the balance payable included severance benefits for the former CEO (paid in April 2019) and other severance benefits payable to certain employees through salary continuance extending up to 24 months, as well as accrued recruitment and retention costs.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, costs incurred represented severance benefits to terminated employees, and cash payments included retention bonuses that were paid out to certain employees. 

SUNOPTA INC. 13 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

The following table summarizes costs incurred since the inception of the Value Creation Plan to March 30, 2019:

			Employee
	Asset		recruitment,		Consulting
	impairments		retention and		fees and
	and facility		termination		temporary
	closure costs		costs		labor costs		Total
	$		$		$		$
Costs incurred and charged to expense	34,908		16,489		21,073		72,470
Cash payments, net	(10,059	)	(16,342	)	(21,073	)	(47,474	)
Non-cash adjustments	(24,497	)	2,525		-		(21,972	)
Balance payable, March 30, 2019	352		2,672		-		3,024

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, costs incurred and charged to expense were recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as follows:

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019	March 31, 2018
	$	$
Cost of goods sold(1)	-	100
Selling, general and administrative expenses(2)	203	313
Other expense(3)	1,655	1,782
	1,858	2,195

(1) For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, inventory write-downs and facility closure costs recorded in cost of goods sold were allocated to the Consumer Products operating segment.

(2)Professional fees and employee retention and recruitment costs recorded in selling general and administrative expenses were allocated to Corporate Services. 

(3)For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, employee termination, recruitment and relocation costs, net of the reversal of stock-based compensation, and facility closure costs recorded in other expense were allocated as follows:  Global Ingredients reportable segment - $0.2 million (March 31, 2018 - $0.3 million); Consumer Products operating segment - $0.8 million (March 31, 2018 - $1.3 million); and Corporate Services - $0.7 million (March 31, 2018 - $0.1 million).

SUNOPTA INC. 14 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

5.  Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents for each of the fair value hierarchies, the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 30, 2019 and December 29, 2018:

		March 30, 2019
		Fair value
		asset (liability)		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		$		$		$		$
Commodity futures contracts(1)
	Unrealized short-term derivative liability	(237	)	(237	)	-		-
Forward foreign currency contracts(2)
	Not designated as hedging instruments	716		-		716		-
Contingent consideration(3)		(4,286	)	-		-		(4,286	)
		December 29, 2018
		Fair value
		asset (liability	)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		$		$		$		$
Commodity futures and forward contracts(1)
	Unrealized short-term derivative asset	620		-		620		-
	Unrealized long-term derivative asset	7		-		7		-
	Unrealized short-term derivative liability	(581	)	(94	)	(487	)	-
	Unrealized long-term derivative liability	(17	)	-		(17	)	-
Forward foreign currency contracts(2)
	Not designated as hedging instruments	583		-		583		-
Contingent consideration(3)		(4,286	)	-		-		(4,286	)
Inventories carried at market(4)		3,239		-		3,239		-

(1)Commodity futures and forward contracts

As at March 30, 2019, outstanding contracts comprise exchange-traded commodity futures for cocoa and coffee.  As at December 29, 2018, outstanding contracts also included exchange-traded commodity futures and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts associated with the Company's sold soy and corn business.  Exchange-traded futures are fair valued based on unadjusted quotes for identical assets priced in active markets and are classified as level 1.  Fair value for forward commodity purchase and sale contracts was estimated based on exchange-quoted prices adjusted for differences in local markets and were classified as level 2.   

Exchange-traded commodity futures for cocoa and coffee are used as part of the Company's risk management strategy and represent economic hedges to limit risk related to fluctuations in the price of these commodities.  These contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.  Gains and losses on changes in fair value of these contracts are included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statement of operations.  For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, the Company recognized a loss of $0.1 million (March 31, 2018 - loss of $1.1 million) related to changes in the fair value of these contracts.  In addition, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized a loss of $0.4 million related to changes in the fair value of soy and corn futures and forward contracts.  On the consolidated balance sheets, unrealized gains on short-term and long-term contracts are included in other current assets and other assets, respectively, and unrealized losses on short-term and long-term contracts are included in other current liabilities and long-term liabilities, respectively.

SUNOPTA INC. 15 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

As at March 30, 2019, the Company had net open futures contracts to sell 8,210 metric tons ("MT") of cocoa (December 29, 2018 - 6,730 MT sold) and to purchase 204 MT (December 29, 2018 - 85 MT purchased) of coffee.

(2)  Foreign forward currency contracts

As part of its risk management strategy, the Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.  For any open forward foreign exchange contracts at period end, the contract rate is compared to the forward rate, and a gain or loss is recorded.  These contracts are included in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as the inputs used in making the fair value determination are derived from and are corroborated by observable market data.  These contracts typically represent economic hedges that are not designated as hedging instruments; however, certain of these contracts may be designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. 

As at March 30, 2019, the Company had open forward foreign exchange contracts to sell euros to buy U.S. dollars with a notional value of €8.2 million ($10.0 million), and to sell British pounds to buy euros with a notional value of £1.8 million (€2.0 million).  In addition, as at March 30, 2019, the Company had open forward foreign exchange contracts to sell U.S. dollars to buy Mexican pesos with a notional value of $12.7 million (M$246.1 million).  As these contracts were not designated as hedging instruments, gains and losses on changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are included in foreign exchange loss or gain on the consolidated statement of operations.  For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, the Company recognized a gain of $0.6 million (March 31, 2018 - gain of $0.4 million) related to changes in the fair value of these contracts.  Unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in accounts receivable and accounts payable, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets.

As at March 31, 2018, the Company had designated open forward exchange contracts to sell U.S. dollars to buy Mexican pesos as hedging instruments.  As a result, effective portion of the gains and losses on changes in the fair value of those contracts was included in other comprehensive earnings and reclassified to cost of goods sold in the same period the hedged transaction affected earnings.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized a net unrealized gain in other comprehensive earnings of $0.8 million related to changes in the fair value of open contracts, and the Company reclassified $0.2 million of realized losses on closed contracts from other comprehensive earnings to cost of goods sold.

(3)  Contingent consideration

The fair value measurement of contingent consideration arising from business acquisitions is determined using unobservable (level 3) inputs.  These inputs include: (i) the estimated amount and timing of the projected cash flows on which the contingency is based; and (ii) the risk-adjusted discount rate used to calculate the present value of those cash flows.  The table below presents a reconciliation of the remaining contingent consideration obligation under an earn-out arrangement with the former unitholders of Citrusource, LLC ("Citrusource"), which was acquired by the Company in March 2015.  This remaining obligation is included in the current portion of long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as at March 30, 2019 and December 29, 2018.

		Quarter ended
		March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
		$		$
Balance, beginning of period		(4,286	)	(11,320	)
	Fair value adjustments(1)	-		2,416
Balance, end of period		(4,286	)	(8,904	)

(1)For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, included an adjustment of $2.5 million to reduce the final contingent consideration obligation payable in 2019 based on the results of Citrusource in fiscal 2018.  The parties are in the process of determining the final payment amount under the terms of the Unit Purchase Agreement.

SUNOPTA INC. 16 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

(4)  Inventories carried at market

As at December 29, 2018, inventories carried at market represented inventories of commodity soy and corn associated with the Company's sold soy and corn business. The fair value of these inventories was determined using quoted market prices from the Chicago Board of Trade, as adjusted for differences in local markets, and broker or dealer quotes, and classified as level 2.  Gains and losses on these inventories were included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of operations.  Inventories carried at market were included in inventories on the consolidated balance sheet as at December 29, 2018.

6.  Inventories

	March 30, 2019		December 29, 2018
	$		$
Raw materials and work-in-process	269,298		278,038
Finished goods	67,984		83,225
Company-owned grain	-		10,155
Inventory reserves	(7,352	)	(9,461	)
	329,930		361,957

The sale of the soy and corn business accounted for $2.3 million of the decline in finished goods inventories and all of the decline in company-owned grain inventories.

7.  Leases

The Company has operating leases for manufacturing plants, warehouses, offices, machinery and equipment, and farmland.  The Company subleases the farmland to third-party growers under operating leases.  The Company's operating leases have remaining noncancelable lease terms of less than one year to approximately 15 years, and typically require monthly rental payments that may be adjusted annually to give effect to inflation.  Real estate operating leases typically include options to extend the leases for up to 10 years.  Machinery and equipment operating leases typically include purchase options for the fair market value of the underlying asset at the end of the lease term.  Certain other leases for machinery and equipment include nominal purchase options at the end of the lease term that are reasonably certain of being exercised.  These leases are classified as finance leases and have remaining lease terms of less than one year to approximately four years. 

The following tables present supplemental information related to leases recognized in the consolidated financial statements:

			Quarter ended
			March 30, 2019
			$
Lease Costs
	Operating lease cost		5,203
	Finance lease cost
		Depreciation of right-of-use assets	297
		Interest on lease liabilities	36
	Sublease income		(120	)
	Net lease cost		5,416

SUNOPTA INC. 17 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

			March 30, 2019
			$
Balance Sheet Classification
	Operating leases
		Operating lease right-of-use assets	75,503
		Current portion of operating lease liabilities	17,432
		Operating lease liabilities	58,910
		Total operating lease liabilities	76,342
	Finance leases
		Property, plant and equipment, gross	9,923
		Accumulated depreciation	(4,840	)
		Property, plant and equipment, net	5,083
		Current portion of long-term debt	1,262
		Long-term debt	1,933
		Total finance lease liabilities	3,195

			Quarter ended
			March 30, 2019
				$
Cash Flow Information
	Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities
		Operating cash flows from operating leases		5,378
		Operating cash flows from finance leases		36
		Financing cash flows from finance leases		392
	Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities
		Operating leases		-
		Finance Leases		-

			March 30, 2019
Other Information
	Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
		Operating leases		5.6
		Finance leases		2.0
	Weighted-average discount rate(1)
		Operating leases		8.9%
		Finance leases		4.2%

(1)In determining the present value of lease payments, the Company uses the implicit rate in the lease when that rate is readily determinable, which is the case for most of the Company's machinery and equipment leases.  In all other cases, including real estate leases, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate.  The Company applied the incremental borrowing rate as at December 30, 2018 (the first day of fiscal 2019) to leases that commenced prior to that date.  Discount rates are determined on a lease-by-lease basis.

SUNOPTA INC. 18 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

		Operating leases		Finance leases
		$		$
Maturities of Lease Liabilities
	Remainder of 2019	13,822		1,107
	2020	17,346		715
	2021	14,436		715
	2022	12,611		715
	2023	8,389		179
	Thereafter	47,852		-
	Total lease payments	114,456		3,431
	Less: imputed interest	(38,114	)	(236	)
	Total lease liabilities	76,342		3,195

As at March 30, 2019, the Company had commitments for approximately $15 million of right-of-use assets for which the leases had not commenced. 

8.  Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt

			March 30, 2019	December 29, 2018
			$	$
Bank indebtedness:
	Global Credit Facility(1)		220,190	276,776
	Bulgarian credit facility		3,799	3,558
			223,989	280,334
Long-term debt:
	Senior Secured Second Lien Notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs
		of $6,141 (December 29, 2018 - $6,472)(2)	217,357	217,026
	Asset-backed term loan		4,771	3,103
	Finance lease liabilities (see note 7)		3,195	3,706
	Other		4,929	5,028
			230,252	228,863
Less: current portion			1,816	1,840
			228,436	227,023

(1) Global Credit Facility

On February 11, 2016, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million, subject to borrowing base capacity (the "Global Credit Facility"). The Global Credit Facility is used to support the working capital and general corporate needs of the Company's global operations, in addition to funding future strategic initiatives.  The Global Credit Facility also includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and provides for borrowings on same-day notice, including in the form of swingline loans.  Subject to customary borrowing conditions and the agreement of any such lenders to provide such increased commitments, the Company may request to increase the total lending commitments under the Global Credit Facility to a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450.0 million.  Outstanding principal amounts under the Global Credit Facility are repayable in full on the maturity date of February 10, 2021. 

Individual borrowings under the Global Credit Facility have terms of six months or less and bear interest based on various reference rates, including prime rate and LIBOR plus an applicable margin.  The applicable margin in the Global Credit Facility ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for loans bearing interest based on LIBOR and from 0.25% to 0.75% for loans bearing interest based on the prime rate and, in each case, is set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter. 

SUNOPTA INC. 19 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

On September 19, 2017, the Company entered into an amendment to the Global Credit Facility to add a $15.0 million U.S.  asset-based credit subfacility (the "U.S. Subfacility").  On October 22, 2018, the Global Credit Facility was further amended to increase the commitment under the U.S. Subfacility by $5.0 million.  The entire $20.0 million available for borrowing under the U.S. Subfacility was fully drawn as of March 30, 2019.  Commencing on March 31, 2019, quarterly amortization payments on the aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Subfacility are equal to $3.33 million, and these payments may be funded through borrowings under the revolving facilities of the Global Credit Facility.  Borrowings repaid under the U.S. Subfacility may not be borrowed again.  Borrowings under the U.S. Subfacility bear interest based on various reference rates plus a margin of 3.50%.  The applicable margin for the U.S. Subfacility is set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter ranges from 2.00% to 2.50% with respect to base rate and prime rate borrowings and from 3.00% to 3.50% for eurocurrency rate and bankers' acceptance rate borrowings.

As at March 30, 2019, the weighted-average interest rate on all borrowings under the Global Credit Facility was 3.74%.

Obligations under the Global Credit Facility are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company's subsidiaries and, subject to certain exceptions, such obligations are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company.

The Global Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the Company's ability to create liens on assets; sell assets and enter into sale and leaseback transactions; pay dividends, prepay junior lien and unsecured indebtedness and make other restricted payments; incur additional indebtedness and make guarantees; make investments, loans or advances, including acquisitions; and engage in mergers or consolidations.  The foregoing covenants are subject to certain threshold amounts and exceptions as set forth in the credit agreement.

(2) Senior Secured Second Lien Notes

On October 20, 2016, the Company's subsidiary, SunOpta Foods Inc. ("SunOpta Foods") issued $231.0 million of 9.5% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the "Notes").  As at March 30, 2019, the outstanding principal amount of the Notes was $223.5 million, reflecting the redemption of $7.5 million principal amount by SunOpta Foods in October 2017.  Debt issuance costs are recorded as a reduction against the principal amount of the Notes and are being amortized over the six-year term of the Notes.  Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 at a rate of 9.5% per annum.  The Notes will mature on October 9, 2022.  Giving effect to the amortization of debt issuance costs, the effective interest rate on the Notes is approximately 10.4% per annum.

At any time after October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 107.125% through October 8, 2019, 104.750% from October 9, 2019 through October 8, 2020, 102.375% from October 9, 2020 through October 8, 2021 and at par thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption.  Certain additional redemption rights were applicable prior to October 9, 2018.  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.

The Notes are secured by second-priority liens on substantially all of the assets that secure the credit facilities provided under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens.  The Notes are senior secured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with SunOpta Foods' existing and future senior debt and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated debt. The Notes are effectively subordinated to debt under the Global Credit Facility and any future indebtedness secured on a first priority basis.  The Notes are initially guaranteed on a senior secured second-priority basis by the Company and each of its subsidiaries (other than SunOpta Foods) that guarantees indebtedness under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions.

The Notes are subject to covenants that, among other things, limit the Company's ability to (i) incur additional debt or issue preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends and make certain types of investments and other restricted payments; (iii) create liens; (iv) enter into transactions with affiliates; (v) sell assets; and (vi) create restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends, make loans or advances or transfer assets to the Company, SunOpta Foods or any guarantor of the Notes.  The foregoing covenants are subject to certain threshold amounts and exceptions as set forth in the indenture governing the Notes.  In addition, the indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include nonpayment, breach of covenants in the indenture, certain payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency.  If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on, if any, all the Notes to be due and payable.

SUNOPTA INC. 20 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

As at March 30, 2019, the estimated fair value of the outstanding Notes was approximately $240 million, based on quoted prices of the most recent over-the-counter transactions (level 2).

9.   Series A Preferred Stock

On October 7, 2016, the Company and SunOpta Foods entered into a subscription agreement (the "Subscription Agreement") with Oaktree Organics, L.P. and Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund II, L.P. (collectively, the "Investors").  Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, SunOpta Foods issued an aggregate of 85,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") to the Investors for consideration in the amount of $85.0 million.  In connection with the issuance of the Preferred Stock, the Company incurred direct and incremental expenses of $6.0 million, which reduced the carrying value of the Preferred Stock.  At any time on or after October 7, 2021, SunOpta Foods may redeem all of the Preferred Stock for an amount, per share of Preferred Stock, equal to the value of the liquidation preference at such time.  The carrying value of the Preferred Stock is being accreted to the redemption amount of $85.0 million through charges to accumulated deficit over the period preceding October 7, 2021.

In connection with the Subscription Agreement, the Company agreed to, among other things (i) ensure SunOpta Foods has sufficient funds to pay its obligations under the terms of the Preferred Stock and (ii) grant each holder of Preferred Stock (the "Holder") the right to exchange the Preferred Stock for shares of common stock of the Company (the "Common Shares").  The Preferred Stock is non-participating with the Common Shares in dividends and undistributed earnings of the Company.

The Preferred Stock has a stated value and initial liquidation preference of $1,000 per share.  Cumulative preferred dividends accrue daily on the Preferred Stock at an annualized rate of 8.0% of the liquidation preference prior to October 5, 2025 and 12.5% of the liquidation preference thereafter (subject to an increase of 1.0% per quarter, up to a maximum rate of 5.0% per quarter on the occurrence of certain events of non-compliance).  Prior to October 5, 2025, SunOpta Foods may pay dividends in cash or elect, in lieu of paying cash, to add the amount that would have been paid to the liquidation preference.  After October 4, 2025, the failure to pay dividends in cash will be an event of non-compliance.  The Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of common stock of SunOpta Foods with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company or SunOpta Foods.  For each of the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, SunOpta Foods paid cash dividends on the Preferred Stock of $1.7 million.  As at March 30, 2019, SunOpta Foods had accrued unpaid dividends of $1.7 million, which were recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

At any time, the Holders may exchange their shares of Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, into the number of Common Shares equal to, per share of Preferred Stock, the quotient of the liquidation preference divided by $7.50 (such price, the "Exchange Price" and such quotient, the "Exchange Rate").  As at March 30, 2019, the aggregate shares of Preferred Stock outstanding were exchangeable into 11,333,333 Common Shares.  The Exchange Price is subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, including a weighted-average adjustment for issuances of Common Shares below the Exchange Price, provided that the Exchange Price may not be lower than $7.00 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances).  SunOpta Foods may cause the Holders to exchange all of the Preferred Stock into a number of Common Shares based on the applicable Exchange Price if (i) fewer than 10% of the shares of Preferred Stock issued on October 7, 2016 remain outstanding, or (ii) on or after October 7, 2019, the average volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares during the then preceding 20 trading day period is greater than 200% of the Exchange Price. 

SUNOPTA INC. 21 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

In connection with the Subscription Agreement, the Company issued 11,333,333 Special Shares, Series 1 (the "Special Voting Shares") to the Investors, which entitle the Investors to one vote per Special Voting Share on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Shares, together as a single class, subject to certain exceptions.  Additional Special Voting Shares will be issued, or existing Special Voting Shares will be redeemed, as necessary to ensure that the aggregate number of Special Voting Shares outstanding is equal to the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding from time to time multiplied by the Exchange Rate in effect at such time.  As at March 30, 2019, 11,333,333 Special Voting Shares were issued and outstanding, which represented an approximate 11.5% voting interest in the Company.  The Special Voting Shares are not transferable, and the voting rights associated with the Special Voting Shares will terminate upon the transfer of the Preferred Stock to a third party, other than a controlled affiliate of the Investors.  The Investors are entitled to designate up to two nominees for election to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and have the right to designate one individual to attend meetings of the Board as a non-voting observer, subject to the Investors maintaining certain levels of beneficial ownership of Common Shares on an as-exchanged basis.  For so long as the Investors beneficially own or control at least 50% of the Preferred Stock issued on October 7, 2016, including any corresponding Common Shares into which such Preferred Stock are exchanged, the Investors will be entitled to (i) participation rights with respect to future equity offerings of the Company, and (ii) governance rights, including the right to approve certain actions proposed to be taken by the Company and its subsidiaries.

10.  Other Expense (Income), Net

The components of other expense (income) were as follows:

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
	$		$
Gain on sale of soy and corn business (see note 3)	(45,579	)	-
Employee termination and recruitment costs(1)	1,399		232
Product withdrawal and recall costs(2)	260		323
Facility closure costs(3)	256		1,550
Decrease in fair value of contingent consideration (see note 5(3))	-		(2,416	)
Other	152		(91	)
	(43,512	)	(402	)

(1)Employee termination and recruitment costs

For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, expenses represent severance benefits of $2.9 million for employees terminated in connection with the Value Creation Plan, including the Company's former CEO, net of the reversal of $2.1 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation expense related to forfeited awards previously granted to those employees.  In addition, expenses include recruitment costs related to the Company's CEO transition.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the expense represents severance benefits incurred in connection with the Value Creation Plan.

(2)Product withdrawal and recall costs

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, expenses represent product withdrawal and recall costs that were not eligible for reimbursement under the Company's insurance policies or exceeded the limits of those policies, including certain costs related to the voluntary recall of certain roasted sunflower kernel products initiated by the Company during the second quarter of 2016.

SUNOPTA INC. 22 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

(3)Facility closure costs

For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, expenses include costs to dismantle and move equipment from the Company's former soy extraction facility located in Heuvelton, New York, which was subsequently sold in April 2019.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, expenses include the recognition of the remaining lease obligation related to the Company's former nutrition bar facility, and an impairment loss and closure costs related to the disposal of the Company's roasting facility in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

11.  Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were calculated as follows (shares in thousands):

			Quarter ended
			March 30, 2019			March 31, 2018
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
	Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.		$	25,649		$	(4,363	)
	Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock			(1,995	)		(1,967	)
	Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$	23,654		$	(6,330	)
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding			87,475			86,810
Basic earnings (loss) per share			$	0.27		$	(0.07	)
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
	Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.		$	25,649		$	(4,363	)
	Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock(1)			-			(1,967	)
	Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$	25,649		$	(6,330	)
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding			87,475			86,810
	Dilutive effect of the following:
		Series A Preferred Stock(1)		11,333			-
		Stock options and restricted stock units(2)		191			-
	Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding			98,999			86,810
Diluted earnings (loss) per share			$	0.26		$	(0.07	)

(1) For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, it was more dilutive to assume the Preferred Stock was converted into Common Shares and, therefore, the numerator of the diluted loss per share calculation was adjusted to add back the dividends and accretion on the Preferred Stock and the denominator was adjusted to include 11,333,333 Common Shares issuable on an if-converted basis.

(2)For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, stock options and restricted stock units to purchase or receive 657,946 Common Shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect of reducing the loss per share.  In addition, for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, options to purchase 2,566,321 and 1,984,184 Common Shares, respectively, were anti-dilutive because the exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market price.

SUNOPTA INC. 23 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

12.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information

		Quarter ended
		March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
		$		$
Changes in non-cash working capital:
	Accounts receivable	4,211		(12,359	)
	Inventories	15,647		18,302
	Income tax recoverable/payable	1,971		3,341
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(4,621	)	(5,376	)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(12,507	)	381
	Customer and other deposits	100		(1,400	)
		4,801		2,889

13.  Commitments and Contingencies

Product Recall

On November 20, 2017, Treehouse Foods, Inc., several of its related entities, and its insurer filed a lawsuit against the Company in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois titled Treehouse Foods, Inc. et al. v. SunOpta Grains and Food, Inc.  The Company was served with the Summons and Complaint on January 24, 2018.  After the Company removed the case to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint on April 23, 2018 and a second Amended Complaint on October 12, 2018.  The plaintiffs allege economic damages resulting from the Company's 2016 voluntary recall of certain roasted sunflower kernel products due to the potential for listeria monocytogenes contamination.  The plaintiffs brought claims for breach of contract, express and implied warranties and product guarantees, negligence, strict liability, negligent misrepresentation, and indemnity seeking $16.2 million in damages.  There are no allegations of personal injury.  On March 29, 2019, the court dismissed the plaintiffs' claims for negligence, strict liability, negligent misrepresentation, and common law indemnity.  The Company is vigorously defending itself against the remaining contract and warranty-based claims.  The Company cannot reasonably predict the outcome of this claim, nor can it estimate the amount of loss, or range of loss, if any, that may result from this claim.

Other Claims

In addition, various claims and potential claims arising in the normal course of business are pending against the Company. It is the opinion of management that these claims or potential claims are without merit and the amount of potential liability, if any, to the Company is not determinable. Management believes the final determination of these claims or potential claims will not materially affect the financial position or results of the Company. 

SUNOPTA INC. 24 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

14.  Segmented Information

The composition of the Company's reportable segments is as follows:

• Global Ingredients aggregates the Company's North American-based sunflower and roasted snack operations and international organic ingredients operations.  Global Ingredients included the operations of the specialty and organic soy and corn business that was sold in first quarter of 2019 (see note 3).

• Consumer Products consists of three main commercial platforms: Healthy Beverages, Healthy Fruit and Healthy Snacks. Healthy Beverages includes aseptically-packaged products including non-dairy plant-based beverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters. Healthy Fruit includes IQF fruits for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and custom fruit preparations for industrial use. Healthy Snacks is focused on fruit snack offerings and included the ending contribution from the exited flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines in the first quarter of 2018.

In addition, Corporate Services provides a variety of management, financial, information technology, treasury and administration services to each of the Company's operating segments from the Company's headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario and administrative office in Edina, Minnesota.

When reviewing the operating results of the Company's operating segments, management uses segment revenues from external customers and segment operating income/loss to assess performance and allocate resources.  Segment operating income/loss excludes other income/expense items.  In addition, interest expense and income taxes are not allocated to the operating segments.

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019
	Global	Consumer
	Ingredients	Products		Consolidated
	$	$		$
Segment revenues from external customers	128,043	177,232		305,275
Segment operating income (loss)	4,723	(1,338	)	3,385
Corporate Services				(3,065	)
Other income, net (see note 10)				43,512
Interest expense, net				(8,739	)
Earnings before income taxes				35,093
	Quarter ended
	March 31, 2018
	Global	Consumer
	Ingredients	Products		Consolidated
	$	$		$
Segment revenues from external customers	136,331	176,321		312,652
Segment operating income	3,102	3,316		6,418
Corporate Services				(4,755	)
Other income, net (see note 10)				402
Interest expense, net				(8,220	)
Loss before income taxes				(6,155	)

SUNOPTA INC. 25 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

15.  Subsequent Events

Acquisition of Sanmark B.V.

On April 1, 2019, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Sanmark B.V. ("Sanmark") for $3.4 million, which was financed through existing credit facilities.  Sanmark is a sourcing and trading business focused on organic oils for the food, pharmacy, and cosmetic industries. Sanmark sources raw materials globally and generates most of its sales into the European and Asia-Pacific markets.  The results of operations of Sanmark will be included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and will be included in the international organic ingredients operations within Global Ingredients.

Stock-Based Compensation

Chief Executive Officer

On April 1, 2019, Joseph Ennen was appointed CEO of the Company. In connection with his appointment, the Company granted Mr. Ennen options to purchase 960,061 Common Shares, 297,619 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and 1,785,714 performance stock units (“PSUs”). The stock options vest on April 1, 2022, subject to Mr. Ennen continued employment during the vesting period, and expire on April 1, 2029. Each vested stock option will entitle Mr. Ennen to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $3.36, which was equal to the closing price of the Common Shares on April 1, 2019. The RSUs vest in three equal annual installments beginning on April 1, 2020, and each vested RSU will entitle Mr. Ennen to receive one Common Share of the Company.

The vesting of 892,857 of the PSUs granted is subject to the Company achieving annual adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") thresholds during fiscal years 2019 through 2022, as follows: 297,619 PSUs will vest upon the Company achieving annual adjusted EBITDA of $80 million, another 297,619 will vest upon the Company achieving annual adjusted EBITDA of $110 million, and the final 297,619 will vest upon the Company achieving annual adjusted EBITDA of $140 million, and subject to Mr. Ennen continued employment with the Company through the end of the fiscal year the adjusted EBITDA performance condition is achieved.  The vesting of the other 892,857 PSUs that were granted is subject to the Common Shares achieving certain volume-weighted average trading prices during a performance period commencing on April 1, 2019 and ending on December 31, 2022, as follows: 297,619 PSUs will vest upon achieving a trading price of $5.00 per share, another 297,619 will vest upon achieving a trading price of $9.00 per share, and the final 297,619 will vest upon achieving a trading price of $14.00 per share, in each case for 20 consecutive trading days, and subject to Mr. Ennen's continued employment with the Company through the date the stock price performance condition is achieved.  Each vested PSU will entitle Mr. Ennen to receive one Common Share without payment of additional consideration.

The grant-date fair values of the RSUs and PSUs subject to the adjusted EBITDA performance condition were estimated to be $3.36 based on the closing price of Common Shares on the date of grant.  A grant-date fair value of $1.68 was estimated for the stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $1.77 was estimated for the PSUs subject to the stock price performance condition using a Monte Carlo valuation model.  The following table summarizes the inputs to the Black-Scholes option-pricing and Monte Carlo valuation models:

	Stock Options		PSUs
Grant-date stock price	$	3.36	$	3.36
Exercise price	$	3.36		NA
Dividend yield		0%		0%
Expected volatility(1)		47.87%		55.68%
Risk-free interest rate(2)		2.36%		2.30%
Expected life (in years)(3)		6.50		1.82

(1)Determined based on the historical volatility of the Common Shares over the expected life of the stock options and performance period of the PSUs.

SUNOPTA INC. 26 March 30, 2019 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

(2) Determined based on U.S. Treasury yields with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the stock options and performance period of the PSUs.

(3) Determined based on the mid-point of vesting (three years) and expiration (ten years) for the stock options and the derived service period for the PSUs. 

The aggregate grant-date fair value of the stock options, RSUs and PSUs awarded to Mr. Ennen was determined to be $7.2 million, which will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the stock options and RSUs and the derived service period for the PSUs.  Each reporting period, the number of PSUs subject to the adjusted EBITDA performance condition that are expected to vest will be redetermined and the grant-date fair value of the redetermined number of those PSUs will be amortized over the remaining service period less amounts previously recognized. 

Short-Term Incentive Plan

On April 12, 2019, the Company granted 2,222,570 PSUs to certain employees of the Company under its Short-Term Incentive Plan.  The vesting of the PSUs is subject to the Company achieving a predetermined measure of adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2019, and subject to each employee's continued employment with the Company through the first anniversary of the grant date.  The grant-date fair value of the PSUs was estimated to be $3.40 based on the closing price of the Common Shares on the date of grant.  The aggregate grant-date fair value of the PSUs of $7.6 million will be initially recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite one-year service period.  Each reporting period, the number of PSUs that are expected to vest will be redetermined and the grant-date fair value of the redetermined number of PSUs will be amortized over the remaining service period less amounts previously recognized.

SUNOPTA INC. 27 March 30, 2019 10-Q

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Financial Information

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") should be read in conjunction with the interim consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 contained under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018 ("Form 10-K"). Unless otherwise indicated herein, the discussion and analysis contained in this MD&A includes information available to May 8, 2019.

Certain statements contained in this MD&A may constitute forward-looking statements as defined under securities laws. Forward-looking statements may relate to our future outlook and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, litigation, projected costs, capital expenditures, financial results, taxes, plans and objectives. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "anticipate," "estimate," "target," "intend," "project," "potential," "continue," "believe," "expect," "can," "could," "would," "should," "may," "might," "plan," "will," "may," "predict," "budget," "forecast,", or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts, or the negative of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements; however, the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. To the extent any forward-looking statements contain future-oriented financial information or financial outlooks, such information is being provided to enable a reader to assess our financial condition, material changes in our financial condition, our results of operations, and our liquidity and capital resources. Readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose, including investment decisions.

Forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding expected growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. While we consider these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. These factors are more fully described in the "Risk Factors" section at Item 1A of the Form 10-K and Item 1A of Part II of this report.

Forward-looking statements contained in this commentary are based on our current estimates, expectations and projections, which we believe are reasonable as of the date of this report. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events. You should not place undue importance on forward-looking statements and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Other than as required under securities laws, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking information at any particular time. Neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements, and we hereby qualify all our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

Unless otherwise noted herein, all currency amounts in this MD&A are expressed in U.S. dollars. All tabular dollar amounts are expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts.

Overview

SunOpta is a global company focused on sourcing organic and non-genetically modified ("non-GMO") ingredients, and manufacturing healthy food and beverage products. Our global sourcing platform makes us one of the leading suppliers of organic and non-GMO raw materials and ingredients in the food industry. Our consumer products portfolio utilizes internally and externally sourced raw materials and ingredients to manufacture healthy food and beverage products for supply to retail, foodservice and branded food customers. We operate our business in the following reportable segments:

• Global Ingredients aggregates the Company’s North American-based sunflower and roasted snack operations and international organic ingredients operations. Global Ingredients included the operations of the specialty and organic soy and corn business that was sold in first quarter of 2019 (as described below under the heading "Sale of Soy and Corn Business").

SUNOPTA INC.  28  March 30, 2019 10-Q

• Consumer Products consists of three main commercial platforms: Healthy Beverages, Healthy Fruit and Healthy Snacks. Healthy Beverages includes aseptically-packaged products including non-dairy plant-based beverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters. Healthy Fruit includes individually quick frozen ("IQF") fruits for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and custom fruit preparations for industrial use. Healthy Snacks is focused on fruit snack offerings and included the ending contribution from the exited flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines in the first quarter of 2018.

Sale of Soy and Corn Business

On February 22, 2019, our subsidiary, SunOpta Grains and Foods Inc., completed the sale of our specialty and organic soy and corn business to Pipeline Foods, LLC ("Pipeline Foods") for $66.5 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The soy and corn business engaged in seed and grain conditioning and corn milling and formed part of the Global Ingredients reportable segment. The net proceeds from this transaction of approximately $65 million were initially used to repay borrowings and increase availability under our Global Credit Facility (as described below under the heading "Liquidity and Capital Resources"). Over time, we intend to redeploy this capital to further enhance our consumer products and international organic ingredients operations.

The results of operations of the soy and corn business for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018 are summarized in the table below. These results exclude management fees charged by Corporate Services.

			Quarter ended
	March 30,		March 31,
	2019		2018
	$		$
Revenues	10,346		21,399
Gross profit	192		2,658
Segment operating income (loss)	(187	)	2,275
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(187	)	2,292

The sale of the soy and corn business simplified our operations, enabling other overhead cost reduction measures to be taken in the first quarter of 2019 that extended beyond the employees and expenses that transferred to Pipeline Foods. Taking into consideration the contribution from the soy and corn business, as well as the other associated costs and expenses that were rationalized, the following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") in connection with this transaction from earnings/loss before income taxes of the soy and corn business, which we consider in this case to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

			Quarter ended
	March 30,		March 31,
	2019		2018
	$		$
Earnings (loss) before income taxes of soy and corn business	(187	)	2,292
Depreciation	129		213
Interest income	-		(15	)
Other expense	-		(2	)
Less rationalized costs and expenses	(169	)	(995	)
Adjusted EBITDA	(227	)	1,493

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that management uses when assessing the performance of our operations. See footnote (3) to the "Consolidated Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018" table below for a discussion on the use of this non-GAAP measure.

For more information regarding the sale of the soy and corn business, see note 3 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

SUNOPTA INC.  29  March 30, 2019 10-Q

Value Creation Plan

In the fourth quarter of 2016, we conducted a thorough review of our operations, management and governance, with the objective of maximizing our ability to deliver long-term value to our shareholders. As a product of this review, we developed a Value Creation Plan built on four pillars: portfolio optimization, operational excellence, go-to-market effectiveness, and process sustainability.

In addition to the sale of our soy and corn business and related cost rationalizations (as described above), other actions taken under the Value Creation Plan have included the rationalization of certain of our operations and facilities, including the closure of our juice facility in San Bernardino, California, in the fourth quarter of 2016, the exit from flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines and operations initiated in the fourth quarter of 2017, and the consolidation of roasted snack operations and related disposal of our roasting facility in Wahpeton, North Dakota, in the second quarter of 2018, as well as other cost savings initiatives. Other actions taken to-date under the Value Creation Plan include investments in certain of our operations and facilities to enhance food safety and quality and to improve production efficiencies, as well as investments in personnel, processes and tools.

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, costs incurred and charged to expense in connection with the Value Creation Plan were recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as follows:

		Quarter ended
	March 30,	March 31,
	2019	2018
	$	$
Cost of goods sold(1)	-	100
Selling, general and administrative expenses(2)	203	313
Other expense(3)	1,655	1,782
	1,858	2,195

(1)	For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, inventory write-downs and facility closure costs recorded in cost of goods sold were allocated to Consumer Products.
(2)	Professional fees and employee retention and recruitment costs recorded in selling general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were allocated to Corporate Services.
(3)	For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, employee termination, recruitment and relocation costs, net of the reversal of stock-based compensation, and facility closure costs recorded in other expense were allocated as follows: Global Ingredients – $0.2 million (March 31, 2018 – $0.3 million); Consumer Products – $0.8 million (March 31, 2018 – $1.3 million); and Corporate Services – $0.7 million (March 31, 2018 – $0.1 million).

We intend to continue to make the necessary strategic business decisions and structural investments that we believe will deliver sustained profitable growth and deliver long-term value. Consequently, significant additional costs and expenses could arise in future periods if we determine to initiate further actions under the framework of the Value Creation Plan.

For more information regarding the Value Creation Plan, see note 4 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

SUNOPTA INC.  30  March 30, 2019 10-Q

Consolidated Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018

	March 30,		March 31,
For the quarter ended	2019		2018		Change		Change
	$		$		$		%
Revenues
Global Ingredients	128,043		136,331		(8,288	)	-6.1%
Consumer Products	177,232		176,321		911		0.5%
Total revenues	305,275		312,652		(7,377	)	-2.4%
Gross profit
Global Ingredients	12,872		14,635		(1,763	)	-12.0%
Consumer Products	15,334		19,049		(3,715	)	-19.5%
Total gross profit	28,206		33,684		(5,478	)	-16.3%
Segment operating income (loss)(1)
Global Ingredients	4,723		3,102		1,621		52.3%
Consumer Products	(1,338	)	3,316		(4,654	)	-140.3%
Corporate Services	(3,065	)	(4,755	)	1,690		35.5%
Total segment operating income	320		1,663		(1,343	)	-80.8%
Other income, net	(43,512	)	(402	)	(43,110	)	-10723.9%
Earnings before the following	43,832		2,065		41,767		2022.6%
Interest expense, net	8,739		8,220		519		6.3%
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes	9,498		(1,693	)	11,191		661.0%
Net earnings (loss)(2),(3)	25,595		(4,462	)	30,057		673.6%
Loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(54	)	(99	)	45		45.5%
Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.	25,649		(4,363	)	30,012		687.9%
Dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock	(1,995	)	(1,967	)	(28	)	-1.4%
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders(4)	23,654		(6,330	)	29,984		473.7%

(1)

When assessing the financial performance of our operating segments, we use an internal measure of operating income that excludes other income/expense items and goodwill impairments determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). This measure is the basis on which management, including the Chief Executive Officer, assesses the underlying performance of our operating segments.

We believe that disclosing this non-GAAP measure assists investors in comparing financial performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that are not indicative of our operating performance. However, the non-GAAP measure of operating income should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The following table presents a reconciliation of segment operating income/loss to earnings/loss before the following, which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

	Global		Consumer		Corporate
	Ingredients		Products		Services		Consolidated
For the quarter ended	$		$		$		$
March 30, 2019
Segment operating income (loss)	4,723		(1,338	)	(3,065	)	320
Other income (expense), net	44,995		(761	)	(722	)	43,512
Earnings (loss) before the following	49,718		(2,099	)	(3,787	)	43,832
March 31, 2018
Segment operating income (loss)	3,102		3,316		(4,755	)	1,663
Other income (expense), net	(615	)	1,143		(126	)	402
Earnings (loss) before the following	2,487		4,459		(4,881	)	2,065

We believe that investors’ understanding of our financial performance is enhanced by disclosing the specific items that we exclude from segment operating income. However, any measure of operating income excluding any or all of these items is not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for operating income prepared under U.S. GAAP. These items are presented solely to allow investors to more fully understand how we assess financial performance.

SUNOPTA INC.  31  March 30, 2019 10-Q

(2)

When assessing our financial performance, we use an internal measure of earnings attributable to common shareholders determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP that excludes specific items recognized in other income/expense, impairment losses on goodwill and long-lived assets, and other unusual items that are identified and evaluated on an individual basis, which due to their nature or size, we would not expect to occur as part of our normal business on a regular basis. We believe that the identification of these excluded items enhances an analysis of our financial performance of our business when comparing those operating results between periods, as we do not consider these items to be reflective of normal business operations.

The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted earnings/loss from net earnings/loss, which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure. In addition, in recognition of the sale of the soy and corn business (as described above under the heading "Sale of Soy and Corn Business"), and our exit from flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines and operations (as described above under the heading "Value Creation Plan"), we have prepared this table in a columnar format to present the effect of the disposal of these operations on our consolidated results for the current and comparative periods. We believe this presentation assists investors in assessing the results of the operations we have disposed and the effect of those operations on our financial performance.

			Excluding
	disposed operations				Disposed operations					Consolidated
			Per Diluted				Per Diluted			Per Diluted
			Share				Share			Share
For the quarter ended	$		$		$		$	$		$
March 30, 2019
Net earnings (loss)	(7,201	)			32,796			25,595
Add: loss attributable to non-controlling interests	54				-			54
Less: dividends and accretion of Series A Preferred Stock	(1,995	)			-			(1,995	)
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	(9,142	)	(0.10	)	32,796		0.33	23,654		0.26
Adjusted for:
Gain on sale of soy and corn business	-				(45,579	)		(45,579	)
Costs related to the Value Creation Plan(a)	1,858				-			1,858
Product withdrawal and recall costs(b)	260				-			260
Contract manufacturer transition costs(c)	88				-			88
Other(d)	152				-			152
Net income tax effect(e)	(826	)			12,489			11,663
Adjusted loss	(7,610	)	(0.09	)	(294	)	-	(7,904	)	(0.09	)
March 31, 2018
Net loss	(4,420	)			(42	)		(4,462	)
Add: loss attributable to non-controlling interests	99				-			99
Less: dividends and accretion of Series A Preferred Stock	(1,967	)			-			(1,967	)
Loss attributable to common shareholders	(6,288	)	(0.07	)	(42	)	-	(6,330	)	(0.07	)
Adjusted for:
Fair value adjustment on contingent consideration(f)	(2,500	)			-			(2,500	)
Costs related to Value Creation Plan(g)	984				1,211			2,195
Product withdrawal and recall costs(b)	323				-			323
Other(h)	(7	)			-			(7	)
Net income tax effect(d)	221				(315	)		(94	)
Adjusted loss	(7,267	)	(0.08	)	854		0.01	(6,413	)	(0.07	)

(a)	Reflects professional fees and employee retention costs of $0.2 million recorded in SG&A expenses; and employee termination costs of $2.9 million, recruitment costs of $0.6 million, and facility closure costs of $0.3 million, net of the reversal of $2.1 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation related to forfeited awards previously granted to terminated employees, all recorded in other expense.
(b)	Reflects product withdrawal and recall costs that were not eligible for reimbursement under insurance policies or exceeded the limits of those policies, including costs related to the recall of certain sunflower kernel products initiated in the second quarter of 2016, which were recorded in other expense.
(c)	Reflects costs to transition certain production activities to a new contract manufacturer, which were recorded in cost of goods sold.
(d)	Other included insurance deductibles, which were recorded in other expense.
(e)	Reflects the tax effect of the preceding adjustments to earnings and reflects an overall estimated annual effective tax rate of approximately 27% for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 (March 31, 2018 – 26%) on adjusted earnings/loss before tax.
(f)	Reflects a fair value adjustment of $2.5 million to reduce the contingent consideration obligation related to a prior business acquisition, based on the results for the business in fiscal 2018, which was recorded in other income.
(g)	Reflects the write-down of remaining flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar inventories of $0.1 million recorded in cost of goods sold; and consulting fees, and employee recruitment and relocation costs of $0.3 million recorded in SG&A expenses; and asset impairment, lease obligation and employee termination costs of $1.8 million recorded in other expense.

SUNOPTA INC. 32  March 30, 2019 10-Q

(h) Other included the accretion of contingent consideration obligations and gain/loss on the sale of assets, which were recorded in other expense/income.

We believe that investors’ understanding of our financial performance is enhanced by disclosing the specific items that we exclude to compute adjusted earnings/loss. However, adjusted earnings/loss is not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for earnings prepared under U.S. GAAP. Adjusted earnings/loss is presented solely to allow investors to more fully understand how we assess our financial performance.

(3)

We use a measure of adjusted EBITDA when assessing the performance of our operations, which we believe is useful to investors’ understanding of our operating profitability because it excludes non-operating expenses, such as interest and income taxes, and non-cash expenses, such as depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation and asset impairment charges, as well as other unusual items that affect the comparability of operating performance. We also use this measure to review and assess our progress under the Value Creation Plan, and to assess operating performance in connection with our employee incentive programs. In addition, we are subject to certain restrictions on incurring additional indebtedness based on availability and metrics that include in their calculation a measure of EBITDA. We define adjusted EBITDA as segment operating income/loss plus depreciation, amortization and non-cash stock-based compensation, and excluding other unusual items as identified in the determination of adjusted earnings (refer above to footnote (2)). The following table presents a reconciliation of segment operating income/loss and adjusted EBITDA from net earnings/loss, which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure. In addition, as described above under footnote (2), we have prepared this table in a columnar format to present the effect of the disposals of the soy and corn business, and flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar operations on our consolidated results for the periods presented. We believe this presentation assists investors in assessing the results of the operations we have disposed and the effect of those operations on our financial performance.

	Excluding
	disposed operations		Disposed operations		Consolidated
For the quarter ended	$		$		$
March 30, 2019
Net earnings (loss)	(7,201	)	32,796		25,595
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes	(2,879	)	12,377		9,498
Interest expense, net	8,739		-		8,739
Other expense (income), net	2,067		(45,579	)	(43,512	)
Total segment operating income (loss)	726		(406	)	320
Depreciation and amortization	8,173		129		8,302
Stock-based compensation(a)	1,939		-		1,939
Costs related to Value Creation Plan(b)	203		-		203
Contract manufacturer transition costs(c)	88		-		88
Adjusted EBITDA	11,129		(277	)	10,852
March 31, 2018
Net loss	(4,420	)	(42	)	(4,462	)
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes	(1,702	)	9		(1,693	)
Interest expense (income), net	8,235		(15	)	8,220
Other expense (income), net	(1,611	)	1,209		(402	)
Total segment operating income	502		1,161		1,663
Depreciation and amortization	7,928		213		8,141
Stock-based compensation	2,171		-		2,171
Costs related to Value Creation Plan(b)	413		-		413
Adjusted EBITDA	11,014		1,374		12,388

(a)	For the first quarter of 2019, stock-based compensation of $1.9 million was recorded in SG&A expenses, and the reversal of $2.1 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation related to forfeited awards previously granted to terminated employees was recognized in other income.
(b)	For the first quarter of 2019, reflects professional fees and employee retention costs of $0.2 million recorded in SG&A expenses. For the first quarter of 2018, reflects the write-down of remaining flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar inventories of $0.1 million recorded in cost of goods sold; and consulting fees, and employee recruitment and relocation costs of $0.3 million recorded in SG&A expenses.
(c)	Reflects costs to transition certain production activities to a new contract manufacturer, which were recorded in cost of goods sold.

Although we use adjusted EBITDA as a measure to assess the performance of our business and for the other purposes set forth above, this measure has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for an analysis of our results of operations as reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

• adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest payments on our indebtedness;

• adjusted EBITDA does not include the recovery/payment of taxes, which is a necessary element of our operations;

• although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and

• adjusted EBITDA does not include non-cash stock-based compensation, which is an important component of our total compensation program for employees and directors.

SUNOPTA INC.  33  March 30, 2019 10-Q

Because of these limitations, adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Management compensates for these limitations by not viewing adjusted EBITDA in isolation, and specifically by using other U.S. GAAP and non-GAAP measures, such as revenues, gross profit, segment operating income, earnings and adjusted earnings to measure our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to our results of operations or cash flows from operations determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and our calculation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to the calculation of a similarly titled measure reported by other companies.

(4)

In order to evaluate our results of operations, we use certain non-GAAP measures that we believe enhance an investor’s ability to derive meaningful period-over-period comparisons and trends from our results of operations. In particular, we evaluate our revenues on a basis that excludes the effects of fluctuations in commodity pricing and foreign exchange rates. In addition, we exclude specific items from our reported results that due to their nature or size, we do not expect to occur as part of our normal business on a regular basis. These items are identified above under footnote (2), and in the discussion of our results of operations below. These non-GAAP measures are presented solely to allow investors to more fully assess our results of operations and should not be considered in isolation of, or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

Revenues for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 decreased by 2.4% to $305.3 million from $312.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Excluding the impact on revenues of the sale of the soy and corn business and exit from flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines (a decrease in revenues of $13.7 million), changes in commodity-related pricing (a decrease in revenues of $4.8 million) and foreign exchange rates (a decrease in revenues of $4.6 million), and a profit-neutral change to a co-manufacturing agreement with a customer (a decrease in revenues of $2.3 million), revenues increased by 6.2% in the first quarter of 2019, compared with the first quarter of 2018. The increase in revenues on an adjusted basis reflected higher volumes of internationally-sourced organic ingredients in both Europe and the U.S., and of aseptic beverage and fruit snack products. In addition, sales of frozen fruit were higher on increased distribution volumes, despite shortfalls in meeting certain customer demand due to weather-related supply issues out of central Mexico. These increases were offset by reduced demand for fruit ingredients from yogurt producers and food service customers, and lower volumes of sunflower inshell and kernel.

Gross profit decreased $5.5 million, or 16.3%, to $28.2 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, compared with $33.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. As a percentage of revenues, gross profit for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 was 9.2% compared to 10.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, a decrease of 1.6% . Excluding the gross profit impact of the sale of the soy and corn business and exit from flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines, as well as costs of $0.1 million to transition certain production activities to a new contract manufacturer in the first quarter of 2019 and the write-down of $0.1 million of flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar inventories in the first quarter of 2018, the gross profit percentage for the first quarter of 2019 would have been approximately 9.5%, compared with 10.7% for the first quarter of 2018.

Global Ingredients accounted for $1.8 million of the decrease in gross profit, driven primarily by the sale of the soy and corn business, offset by higher sales volumes of organic ingredients. Excluding the impact of the sale of the soy and corn business, the gross profit percentage for Global Ingredients would have been 10.8% and 10.4% in the first quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively, which reflected an improved margin profile within our international organic ingredients operations driven by a favorable cocoa hedging result, partially offset by reduced pricing spreads and manufacturing inefficiencies for certain organic ingredients and a modest decline in the domestic sunflower gross margin. In the first quarter of 2019, we recognized a gain of $1.3 million on futures contacts used to manage our exposure to changes in cocoa prices on our physical organic cocoa position, compared with a loss of $2.8 million in the first quarter of 2018.

Consumer Products accounted for $3.7 million of the decrease in gross profit, reflecting the impact of the weather-related delay to the fruit season in central Mexico. The delay resulted in commodity price inflation due to a short supply of frozen fruit from Mexico, unfavorable production variances due to lower yields related to crop quality issues, rework of bulk inventories, substitution of higher-cost U.S.-grown product, and lower plant utilization at our Mexican frozen fruit facility. The negative impact to gross profit from the weather-related delay was estimated to be $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2019. In addition, the quarter-over-quarter decrease in gross profit reflected lower volumes and plant utilization for fruit ingredients due to reduced demand. These factors were partially offset by the favorable impact within the Healthy Beverage and Snacks platforms of improved plant utilization due to higher production volumes to meet sales demand, and productivity-driven cost savings.

Total segment operating income for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 decreased by $1.4 million, or 80.8%, to $0.3 million, compared with total segment operating income of $1.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The decrease in segment operating income reflected lower overall gross profit, as described above, partially offset by a $2.0 million decrease in SG&A expenses and a favorable quarter-over-quarter foreign exchange impact of $2.1 million (including a $1.1 million favorable result related to forward currency contracts within our international organic ingredients operations). The decrease in SG&A expenses reflected the sale of the soy and corn business and rationalized overhead, lower employee-related benefit costs, professional fees, and other cost reduction measures. Excluding the operating results of the soy and corn business and flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar operations, as well as SG&A costs incurred and expensed related to the Value Creation Plan and other items identified above affecting gross profit, segment operating income would have been $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared with $0.9 million for the first quarter of 2018.

SUNOPTA INC.  34  March 30, 2019 10-Q

Further details on revenue, gross profit and segment operating income/loss variances are provided below under "Segmented Operations Information".

Other income for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 of $43.5 million reflected the pre-tax gain on sale of the soy and corn business of $45.6 million and the reversal of $2.1 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation related to forfeited awards previously granted to terminated employees. These other income amounts were offset mainly by employee termination and recruitment costs of $3.5 million, associated with the sale of the soy and corn business and Value Creation Plan, including costs related to our CEO transition in the first quarter of 2019. Other income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 of $0.4 million reflected a $2.5 million reduction to the remaining contingent consideration obligation that arose from a prior business acquisition, which was offset by facility lease and asset impairment charges of $1.6 million related to the closure of our former nutrition bar facility and sale of our former roasted snack facility, and employee termination costs of $0.2 million associated with the Value Creation Plan.

Interest expense increased by $0.5 million to $8.7 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, compared with $8.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Interest expense included the amortization of debt issuance costs of $0.7 million and $0.6 million in the first quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively. The quarter-over-quarter increase in interest expense primarily reflected higher borrowings under our line of credit facilities to fund increased working capital requirements. In late February 2019, we used the net proceeds from the sale of the soy and corn business to initially repay outstanding borrowings under these facilities by approximately $65 million.

We recognized a provision of income tax of $9.5 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, compared with a recovery of income taxes of $1.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The effective tax rate was 27.1% for the first quarter of 2019, compared with 27.5% for the first quarter of 2018.

On a consolidated basis, we realized earnings attributable to common shareholders of $23.7 million (diluted earnings per share of $0.26) for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, compared with a loss attributable to common shareholders of $6.3 million (diluted loss per share of $0.07) for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, adjusted loss was $7.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, on a consolidated basis, compared with adjusted loss of $6.4 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, on a consolidated basis for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Excluding the results of the disposed soy and corn, flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar operations, adjusted loss was $7.6 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, compared with adjusted loss of $7.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 was $10.9 million on a consolidated basis, compared with $12.4 million on a consolidated basis for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Excluding disposed operations, adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 was $11.1 million, compared with $11.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Adjusted earnings and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. See footnotes (2) and (3) to the table above for a reconciliation of adjusted loss and adjusted EBITDA from net earnings/loss, which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

Segmented Operations Information

Global Ingredients
For the quarter ended		March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018		Change		% Change
Revenues	$	128,043	$	136,331	$	(8,288	)	-6.1%
Gross profit		12,872		14,635		(1,763	)	-12.0%
Gross profit %		10.1%		10.7%				-0.6%
Operating income	$	4,723	$	3,102	$	1,621		52.3%
Operating income %		3.7%		2.3%				1.4%

Global Ingredients contributed $128.0 million in revenues for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, compared to $136.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, a decrease of $8.3 million, or 6.1% . Excluding the impact on revenues of the sale of the soy and corn business (a decrease in revenues of $11.1 million) and commodity-related pricing and foreign exchange rate movements (a decrease in revenues of $8.4 million), Global Ingredients revenues increased approximately 9.7% . The table below explains the decrease in reported revenues:

SUNOPTA INC.  35  March 30, 2019 10-Q

Global Ingredients Revenue Changes
Revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2018	$136,331
Impact of the sale of the soy and corn business	(11,053)
Unfavorable foreign exchange impact on euro-denominated sales due to a stronger U.S. dollar period-over-period	(4,556)
Decreased commodity pricing for internationally-sourced organic ingredients	(4,271)
Lower volumes of sunflower inshell and kernel, partially offset by higher roasted snack and ingredient volumes and retail birdfeed volumes	(1,244)
Increased trading volumes of internationally-sourced organic ingredients including fruits and vegetables, oils, coffee and cocoa, offset by lower volumes of nuts, seeds and sugars, with overall volumes of organic ingredients higher in both Europe and the U.S. period-over-period	12,444
Increased commodity pricing for sunflower	392
Revenues for the quarter ended March 30, 2019	$128,043

Gross profit in Global Ingredients decreased by $1.8 million to $12.9 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 compared to $14.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, and the gross profit percentage decreased by 0.6% to 10.1% . Excluding the impact on gross profit of the sale of the soy and corn business, the gross profit percentage would have been 10.8% and 10.4% in the first quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase in gross profit percentage excluding the soy and corn business reflected an improved margin profile within our international organic ingredients operations driven by a favorable cocoa hedging result, partially offset by reduced pricing spreads on other organic ingredients due to market conditions and higher carrying costs, and manufacturing inefficiencies within our international organic ingredients and domestic sunflower and roasting operations. The table below explains the decrease in gross profit:

SUNOPTA INC.  36  March 30, 2019 10-Q

Global Ingredients Gross Profit Changes
Gross profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2018	$14,635
Impact of the sale of the soy and corn business	(2,466)
Increased spending and lower utilization related to the recently commissioned second cocoa processing line within our international organic ingredients operations, and lower yields for organic sunflower oil and sesame seed production due to the quality of the raw material inputs	(462)
Lower sales and production volumes for sunflower inshell and kernel, and underutilization of the recently commissioned roasting line due to a shortfall in new business	(292)
Decrease in foreign exchange gains on U.S. dollar-denominated raw material purchase contracts within our international organic ingredients operations	(215)
Favorable cocoa commodity hedging result and increased trading volumes within our international organic ingredients operations, offset by lower pricing spreads and higher carrying costs for certain organic ingredients, including animal feed, sugars, fruits and vegetables, grains and seeds	1,672
Gross profit for the quarter ended March 30, 2019	$12,872

Operating income in Global Ingredients increased by $1.6 million, or 52.3%, to $4.7 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, compared to $3.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The table below explains the increase in operating income:

Global Ingredients Operating Income Changes
Operating income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018	$3,102
Decrease in foreign exchange losses within our international organic ingredient operations, which included a $1.1 million reduction in marked-to-market losses related to forward currency contracts	2,195
Decrease in corporate cost allocations due to the sale of the soy and corn business	1,174
Higher employee-related compensation costs within our international organic ingredients operations, mostly offset by favorable foreign exchange impact on euro- denominated SG&A expenses and SG&A reductions from the sale of the soy and corn business	15
Decrease in gross profit, as explained above	(1,763)
Operating income for the quarter ended March 30, 2019	$4,723

SUNOPTA INC.  37  March 30, 2019 10-Q

Looking forward, we believe Global Ingredients is well positioned in the growing organic food and non-GMO categories. Having completed the sale of our soy and corn business, which formed part of Global Ingredients, we intend to focus our efforts on growing our international organic sourcing and supply capabilities and leveraging these capabilities internally with forward and backward integration where opportunities exist. On April 1, 2019, we acquired Sanmark B.V. ("Sanmark"), which we believe has synergies with, and provides the opportunity to expand our global organic oils portfolio. The Sanmark acquisition is expected to contribute annualized revenues of approximately $10 million and EBITDA of approximately $1 million. In addition, we plan to open a new organic avocado oil facility located in Ethiopia during the second half of 2019. However, we also anticipate market pressures in certain categories of organic ingredients that may negatively impact margin profiles, and we expect that a lack of supply of quality raw materials may negatively impact production within our international sunflower oil and sesame seed processing operations. Within our domestic sunflower business, we expect global competition on price and supply to remain strong, which may continue to negatively impact the margin profile of this business. In addition, underutilization of the new roasting line is expected to continue throughout 2019 as we pursue new business opportunities. The statements in this paragraph are forward-looking statements. See "Forward-Looking Statements" above. Several factors could adversely impact our ability to meet these forward-looking expectations, including increased supply pressure in the commodity-based markets in which we operate, increased competition, volume decreases or loss of customers, unexpected delays in our ingredient expansion plans, or our inability to secure quality inputs or achieve our product mix or cost reduction goals, along with the other factors described above under "Forward-Looking Statements".

Consumer Products
For the quarter ended		March 30, 2019			March 31, 2018		Change		% Change
Revenues	$	177,232		$	176,321	$	911		0.5%
Gross profit		15,334			19,049		(3,715	)	-19.5%
Gross profit %		8.7%			10.8%				-2.1%
Operating income (loss)	$	(1,338	)	$	3,316	$	(4,654	)	-140.3%
Operating income (loss) %		-0.8%			1.9%				-2.7%

Consumer Products contributed $177.2 million in revenues for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, compared to $176.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, a $0.9 million, or 0.5% increase. Excluding the impact on revenues of sales of flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar products (a decrease in revenues of $2.6 million), a profit-neutral change to a co-manufacturing agreement with a customer (a decrease in revenues of $2.3 million) and changes in raw fruit commodity-related pricing (a decrease in revenues of $1.0 million), Consumer Products revenues increased approximately 3.9% . The table below explains the increase in reported revenues:

Consumer Products Revenue Changes
Revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2018	$176,321
Higher sales of aseptic plant-based beverages and expanded distribution of everyday broth offerings, partially offset by lower revenues due the change to a co-manufacturing agreement with a customer, and lower volumes of premium juice products due to the temporary loss of distribution in certain regions (since regained)	2,819
Higher volumes of fruit snack products due in part to increased customer promotions	1,490
Impact of the exit from flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bars product lines	(2,604)
Reduced volumes of fruit ingredients due to lower demand for yogurt bases and fruit toppings, impact of weather-related crop shortages from central Mexico on ability to meet certain customer demand for frozen fruit, and impact of strategic pricing reductions taken in 2018 on frozen fruit to gain distribution volumes, offset by increased distribution volumes for frozen fruit	(794)
Revenues for the quarter ended March 30, 2019	$177,232

Gross profit in Consumer Products decreased by $3.7 million to $15.3 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 compared to $19.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, and the gross profit percentage decreased by 2.1% to 8.7% . The decrease in the gross profit percentage primarily reflected the impact of higher commodity pricing for frozen fruit due to crop shortages from central Mexico, together with unfavorable production variances due to lower yields and higher costs related to crop quality issues, rework of bulk inventories, and substitution of higher-cost U.S.-grown product, and lower plant utilization at our Mexican frozen fruit facility. The impact to gross profit from the weather-related delay was estimated to be $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2019, or approximately a negative 1% impact on the gross profit percentage. In addition, the decrease in the gross profit percentage reflected the impact of lower sales pricing for frozen fruit, and lower sales and production volumes for fruit ingredients resulting in unfavorable plant utilization. These factors were partially offset by strong production volumes and productivity-driven cost savings within the Healthy Beverage and Healthy Snacks platforms. The table below explains the decrease in gross profit:

SUNOPTA INC.  38  March 30, 2019 10-Q

Consumer Products Gross Profit Changes
Gross profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2018	$19,049
Impact of short supply of frozen fruit from central Mexico on commodity pricing due to supply-driven price inflation, in addition to lower yields and higher production costs, and lower plant utilization in Mexico, together with lower sales pricing for frozen fruit and lower volumes and plant utilization for fruit ingredients	(4,720)
Higher sales volumes, plant utilization and productivity improvements for aseptic beverage and fruit snack products, partially offset by lower volumes of premium juice products	935
Impact of the exit from flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bars product lines	70
Gross profit for the quarter ended March 30, 2019	$15,334

Operating income in Consumer Products decreased by $4.7 million to an operating loss of $1.3 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, compared to operating income of $3.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The table below explains the decrease in operating income:

Consumer Products Operating Income Changes
Operating income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018	$3,316
Decrease in gross profit, as explained above	(3,715)
Increase in corporate cost allocations due to the centralization of transactional and other support functions for the Healthy Fruit platform and realignment of Corporate Services resources as a result of the sale of the soy and corn business	(2,053)
Headcount reductions within the Healthy Fruit platform due to the centralization of transactional and other support functions, as well as other SG&A expense reductions	1,114
Operating loss for the quarter ended March 30, 2019	$(1,338)

Looking forward we believe Consumer Products remains well-positioned in markets with long-term growth potential. We currently expect revenues and gross profit from the Healthy Beverage and Healthy Snacks platforms in 2019 to outperform the prior year. However, weather conditions in Mexico and California are expected to negatively impact the quantity and quality of available raw fruit, as well put upward pressure on field pricing. These factors could continue to have a negative impact on the revenues and margin profile of our frozen fruit business in 2019, to the extent we are unable to procure enough quality fruit to meet customer demand or are unable to fully recover the increased commodity costs through higher sales pricing to customers. In addition, changing consumer preferences in the yogurt category are expected to continue to negatively impact our fruit ingredients business. We continue to focus our efforts on (i) leveraging our sales and marketing resources to create greater channel specific focus on retail and foodservice to increase opportunities to diversify our portfolio and drive incremental sales volume; (ii) continuing to invest in our facilities to enhance quality, safety, capacity, and manufacturing efficiency to drive both incremental sales and cost reduction, including a significant investment in our Allentown, Pennsylvania, aseptic beverage facility to expand capacity and production capabilities, which is expected to come online in the third quarter of 2019, and investments in automation and supply chain efficiencies in our frozen fruit operations, which are expected to be phased in over the next two crop seasons; (iii) executing procurement and supply chain cost reduction initiatives focused on leveraging our buying power and creating increased network efficiency in our planning and logistics efforts; and (iv) leveraging our innovation capabilities to bring new value-added packaged products and processes to market and to increase our capacity utilization across Consumer Products. The statements in this paragraph are forward-looking statements. See "Forward-Looking Statements" above. Several factors could adversely impact our ability to meet these forward-looking expectations, including unfavorable shifts in consumer preferences, increased competition, reduced availability of raw material supply, volume decreases or loss of customers, unexpected delays in our expansion and integration plans, inefficiencies in our manufacturing processes, lack of consumer product acceptance, or our inability to successfully implement the particular goals and strategies indicated above, along with the other factors described above under "Forward-Looking Statements".

SUNOPTA INC.  39  March 30, 2019 10-Q

Corporate Services
For the quarter ended		March 30, 2019			March 31, 2018			Change	% Change
Operating loss	$	(3,065	)	$	(4,755	)	$	1,690	35.5%

Operating loss at Corporate Services decreased by $1.7 million to $3.1 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, compared to a loss of $4.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The table below explains the decrease in operating loss:

Corporate Services Operating Loss Changes
Operating loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2018	$(4,755)
Increase in corporate cost allocations to SunOpta operating segments	879
Lower employee-related benefit costs and professional fees, and cost reduction measures associated with the Value Creation Plan, partially offset by the incremental expense associated with headcount additions during fiscal 2018	811
Operating loss for the quarter ended March 30, 2019	$(3,065)

Corporate cost allocations mainly consist of salaries of corporate personnel who directly support the operating segments, as well as costs related to the enterprise resource management system. These expenses are allocated to the operating segments based on (1) specific identification of allocable costs that represent a service provided to each segment and (2) a proportionate distribution of costs based on a weighting of factors such as revenue contribution and number of people employed within each segment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have the following sources from which we can fund our operating cash requirements:

• Existing cash and cash equivalents;

• Available operating lines of credit;

• Cash flows generated from operating activities, including working capital efficiency efforts;

• Cash flows generated from the exercise, if any, of stock options during the year;

• Potential additional long-term financing, including the offer and sale of debt and/or equity securities; and

• Potential sales of businesses or assets.

On February 11, 2016, we entered a five-year credit agreement for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $350 million, subject to borrowing base capacity (the "Global Credit Facility"). The Global Credit Facility supports the working capital and general corporate needs of our global operations, in addition to funding strategic initiatives. Subject to customary borrowing conditions and the agreement of any such lenders to provide such increased commitments, we may request to increase the total lending commitments under this facility to a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450 million. The applicable margin in the Global Credit Facility ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for loans bearing interest based on LIBOR and from 0.25% to 0.75% for loans bearing interest based on the prime rate and, in each case, is set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter.

SUNOPTA INC.  40  March 30, 2019 10-Q

On September 19, 2017, the Global Credit Facility was amended to add an additional $15 million U.S. asset-based credit subfacility (the "U.S. Subfacility"). On October 22, 2018, the Global Credit Facility was further amended to increase the commitment under the U.S. Subfacility by $5 million. The entire $20 million available for borrowing under the U.S. Subfacility was fully drawn as of October 22, 2018. Commencing on March 31, 2019, quarterly amortization payments on the aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Subfacility are equal to $3.33 million, and these payments may be funded through borrowings under the revolving facilities of the Global Credit Facility. Borrowings repaid under the U.S. Subfacility may not be borrowed again. The applicable margin for the U.S. Subfacility is set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter ranges from 2.00% to 2.50% with respect to base rate and prime rate borrowings and from 3.00% to 3.50% for eurocurrency rate and bankers’ acceptance rate borrowings.

As at March 30, 2019, we had outstanding borrowings of $220.2 million (December 29, 2018 – $276.8 million) and available borrowing capacity of approximately $82 million (December 29, 2018 – $55 million) under the Global Credit Facility, which reflected the initial application of the net proceeds from the sale of the soy and corn business. For more information on the Global Credit Facility, see note 8(1) to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

On October 20, 2016, our subsidiary, SunOpta Foods Inc. ("SunOpta Foods"), issued $231.0 million of 9.5% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due October 9, 2022 (the "Notes"). As at March 30, 2019, the outstanding principal amount of the Notes was $223.5 million, reflecting the redemption of $7.5 million principal amount by SunOpta Foods in October 2017. For more information on the Notes, see note 8(2) to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

On October 7, 2016, SunOpta Foods issued 85,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") for consideration in the amount of $85.0 million. The Preferred Stock has a stated value and initial liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Cumulative preferred dividends accrue daily on the Preferred Stock at an annualized rate of 8.0% of the liquidation preference prior to October 5, 2025 and 12.5% of the liquidation preference thereafter (subject to an increase of 1.0% per quarter, up to a maximum rate of 5.0% per quarter on the occurrence of certain events of non-compliance). Prior to October 5, 2025, SunOpta Foods may pay dividends in cash or elect, in lieu of paying cash, to add the amount that would have been paid to the liquidation preference. After October 4, 2025, the failure to pay dividends in cash will be an event of non-compliance. For each of the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, SunOpta Foods paid cash dividends on the Preferred Stock of $1.7 million. As at March 30, 2019, SunOpta Foods had accrued unpaid dividends of $1.7 million. For more information on the Preferred Stock, see note 9 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

In order to finance significant acquisitions, if any, that may arise in the future, we may need additional sources of cash that we could attempt to obtain through a combination of additional bank or subordinated financing, a private or public offering of debt or equity securities, or the issuance of common stock as consideration in an acquisition. There can be no assurance that these types of financing would be available at all or, if so, on terms that are acceptable to us.

In the event that we require additional liquidity due to market conditions, unexpected actions by our lenders, changes to our growth strategy, or other factors, our ability to obtain any additional financing on favorable terms, if at all, could be limited.

Cash Flows

First Quarter of 2019 Compared to First Quarter of 2018

Net cash and cash equivalents increased $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2019 to $6.0 million as at March 30, 2019, compared with $3.3 million at December 29, 2018.

Cash provided by operating activities was $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared with $7.5 million in the first quarter of 2018, a decrease in cash provided of $6.5 million, reflecting the receipt of income tax refunds in the first quarter of 2018, and lower quarter-over-quarter operating results including the sale of the soy and corn business.

Excluding net proceeds from the sale of the soy and corn business of $64.9 million, cash used in investing activities was $8.0 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared with $6.0 million in the first quarter of 2018, an increase in cash used of $2.0 million. This increase reflected higher capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2019, mainly related to the expansion of our aseptic beverage capacity, the addition of new automation at our frozen fruit and cocoa processing facilities, and construction of our new organic avocado oil facility.

SUNOPTA INC.  41  March 30, 2019 10-Q

Cash used in financing activities was $55.1 million in the first quarter of 2019, compared with cash used of $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2018, an increase in cash used of $53.3 million. The increase in cash used mainly reflected the initial application of the net proceeds from the sale of the soy and corn business to repay borrowings under our line of credit facilities.

Subsequent to the first quarter, on April 1, 2019, we paid cash consideration of $3.4 million to acquire Sanmark, an organic oils sourcing and trading business.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There are currently no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes outside the normal course of business in our contractual obligations since December 29, 2018.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, related revenues and expenses, and disclosure of gain and loss contingencies at the date of the financial statements. The estimates and assumptions made require us to exercise our judgment and are based on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We continually evaluate the information that forms the basis of our estimates and assumptions as our business and the business environment generally changes. Except as described below, there have been no material changes to the critical accounting estimates disclosed under the heading "Critical Accounting Estimates" in Item 7, "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", of the Form 10-K.

Leases

As described in note 1 to the unaudited financial statements included in this report, we adopted ASC Topic 842, "Leases", on a modified retrospective basis beginning the first quarter of 2019. Adoption of this standard had a significant impact on our consolidated balance sheet as at March 30, 2019 due to the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities; however, the standard did not have any impact on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, or on our accounting for finance leases. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Lease assets and liabilities are recognized and measured based on the present value of future lease payments over the lease term. In measuring lease assets and liabilities, critical estimates and assumptions include the amount and timing of the future lease payments based on the expected lease term, and the discount rate to apply to those future lease payments. In determining the expected lease term, we consider the initial noncancelable period of the lease, together with periods covered by renewal options that we are reasonably certain to exercise. Typically, most of our real estate leases and certain of our equipment leases include options to extend the leases, with exercise of these options being at our sole discretion. The evaluation of whether the exercise of a renewal option is reasonably certain is a matter of judgment based on a number of factors, including the length of the initial lease period, the nature of the underlying asset and importance of the asset to our operations, the addition of significant leasehold improvements, and the availability of alternative replacement assets, as well as consideration of business, market and economic factors that may impact our assessment of the useful life of the underlying asset. Generally, we use the initial noncancelable lease term when determining the lease asset and liability. If there are significant events or changes in circumstances that cause us to reassess whether we are reasonably certain or not to exercise an option to extend a lease, we will remeasure the lease asset and liability using revised estimates of the discount rate and remaining lease term as at the reassessment date. The discount rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is the implicit rate in the lease if readily determinable. When that rate is not readily determinable, we use our incremental borrowing rate, which is the estimated rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. We determine our incremental borrowing rate based on the location of each leased asset, using relevant interest rate yield curves and credit spreads derived from available market data and our corporate credit rating.

SUNOPTA INC.  42  March 30, 2019 10-Q

See note 7 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for disclosures related to leases.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, see Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk", of the Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to our exposures to market risks since December 29, 2018.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management has established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Such disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to its management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and our CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 30, 2019.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, has evaluated whether any change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended March 30, 2019. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 30, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

SUNOPTA INC.  43  March 30, 2019 10-Q

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

For a discussion of legal proceedings, see note 13 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Certain risks associated with our operations are discussed in Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2018. There have been no material changes to the previously-reported risk factors as of the date of this quarterly report. Our previously reported risk factors should be carefully reviewed in connection with an evaluation of our Company.

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are included as part of this report.

10.1†	Letter Agreement and Final Release, effective March 5, 2019, between SunOpta Inc. and David Colo (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2019).
10.2†*	Separation Agreement and Full and Final Release, dated March 15, 2019, by and between SunOpta Inc. and John Ruelle.
10.3†	Employment Agreement, effective March 29, 2019, between SunOpta Inc. and Joseph D. Ennen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 2, 2019).
10.4†	Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated effective April 1, 2019, between SunOpta Inc. and Joseph D. Ennen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 2, 2019).
10.5†	Stock Option Award Agreement, dated effective April 1, 2019, between SunOpta Inc. and Joseph D. Ennen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 2, 2019).
10.6†	Performance Share Unit Award Agreement, dated effective April 1, 2019, between SunOpta Inc. and Joseph D. Ennen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 2, 2019).
10.7†	Amended 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 19, 2019).
31.1*	Certification by Joseph D. Ennen, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2*	Certification by Robert McKeracher, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32*	Certifications by Joseph D. Ennen, Chief Executive Officer, and Robert McKeracher, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

SUNOPTA INC.  44  March 30, 2019 10-Q

101.CAL*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

†	Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
*	Filed herewith.

SUNOPTA INC.  45  March 30, 2019 10-Q

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	SUNOPTA INC.
Date: May 8, 2019	/s/ Robert McKeracher
	Robert McKeracher
	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	(Authorized Signatory and Principal Financial Officer)

SUNOPTA INC.  46  March 30, 2019 10-Q

EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND FULL AND FINAL RELEASE

This Separation Agreement and Full and Final Release ("Agreement") is entered into between John Ruelle ("Employee") and SunOpta Inc. ("Company"). This Agreement has been individually-negotiated and is not provided in connection with a termination program.

1. Termination of Employment Relationship. Employee and the Company will end their employment relationship on March 15, 2019 (the "Termination Date"). The Company may relieve Employee of all duties and place the Employee on administrative leave prior to the Termination Date by providing written notice. Employee no longer will be authorized to transact business or incur any expenses, obligations and liabilities on behalf of the Company after the earlier of being placed on administrative leave or the Termination Date. Employee will receive all compensation and benefits, to the extent permissible under the terms of the governing benefit plan documents, due through the Termination Date as a result of services performed for the Company with the receipt of a final paycheck, except as provided in Paragraph 2 this Agreement. In addition, the Company will reimburse Employee for business expenses properly incurred by Employee in accordance with Company policy through the Termination Date, provided such claims for reimbursement are accompanied by appropriate documentation and are submitted to the Company within 30 days following the Termination Date.

Employee has reported to the Company any and all work-related injuries incurred during employment. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company properly provided any leave of absence because of Employee’s or a family member’s health condition and Employee has not been subjected to any improper treatment, conduct or actions due to a request for or taking such leave.

Upon the earlier of your actual last day of active employment with the Company or the Termination Date, Employee hereby confirms his resignation from all positions held by Employee as a director, officer or other fiduciary of the Company, including any and all affiliates.

2. Consideration. In consideration of Employee’s promises in this Agreement, and upon expiration of the revocation period so long as Employee has not revoked, the Company will provide Employee:

A. Severance pay in the total gross amount of $640,265, to be paid as salary continuation (the "Severance Benefit"). The Severance Benefit shall be allocated over an eighteen (18) month period beginning after the Termination Date and payable in the form of substantially equal monthly payments made over this eighteen (18) month period or paid on such other, more frequent schedule based on the Company’s payroll timing (subject to the payment timing and method set forth in this paragraph). The Severance Benefit is determined by application of the following formula: one and a half times the sum of: (i) your current base salary ($417,843); and (ii) the annual cost for your automobile allowance ($9,000). The initial payment shall be made commencing after the Termination Date and on Company’s first regular pay date following, and subject to, the occurrence of all of the following: (i) Employee’s termination of employment, (ii) his execution of this Agreement, and (iii) expiration of the revocation period described in Paragraph 11 without Employee having revoked this Agreement. The Severance Benefit shall be paid pursuant to a fixed schedule of the regular payroll practices of the Company. The first payment of the Severance Benefit shall include any amounts that would have been paid prior to such first payment date had the Severance Benefit commenced to be paid immediately following the Termination Date.

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B.	If Employee elects COBRA, the Company will pay a portion of the COBRA premiums for medical and dental coverage, equal to the portion the Company pays for active employees at the same coverage level, for up to eighteen (18) months. Employee is responsible for the Employee portion of such coverage and for any COBRA premiums following eighteen (18) months.
C.	Outplacement Benefits. The Company will provide Employee with outplacement benefits for twelve (12) months through Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

The Company will apply standard tax and other applicable withholdings to payments made to Employee. Employee agrees that the consideration the Company will provide includes amounts in addition to anything of value to which Employee already is entitled. The Company will also pay Employee for any accrued but unused paid-time off regardless of whether Employee signs this Agreement. The Company is under no obligation to provide reinstatement, employment, re-employment, consulting or other similar status; provided, however, if the Company rehires Employee within eighteen months of the Termination Date, Employee’s right to future severance payments will terminate.

The Company and Employee intend that all taxable payments and benefits provided for under this Agreement be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") by reason of the "short-term deferral" and "separation pay" exemptions from Code Section 409A set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A -1(b)(4) and (9), and the provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent. In addition, for purposes of Code Section 409A, Employee’s right to receive any installment payments payable hereunder shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each such installment payment shall at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment for the purposes Code Section 409A. In the event that it is determined for any reason that any payments hereunder are not exempt from Code Section 409A, the Company and Employee agree to amend this Agreement in a manner that brings this Agreement into compliance with Code Section 409A while preserving to the maximum extent possible the economic value of the relevant payment or benefit under this Agreement to Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be interpreted as a guarantee of any particular tax result or treatment and Employee is responsible for any and all federal, state and local income and wage taxes that may be imposed on Employee with respect to any payments hereunder.

3. Equity. Employee acknowledges and agrees that: (a) any stock options granted to Employee prior to May 24, 2017 that would have become vested during the eighteen months following the Termination Date shall be immediately vested as of the Termination Date and shall be exercisable or settled in accordance with the applicable terms of the grant documents and the plan under which they were granted, except that any such stock options will be exercisable through the end of the eighteen (18) month period following the Termination Date (unless the original expiration date occurs prior to the end of such eighteen (18) month period, in which case the stock options will terminate and be forfeited, if not previously exercised, as of the stock options’ original expiration date); and (b) any stock options, Performance Share Units (PSUs) or Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) granted to Employee on or after May 24, 2017 that have not vested as of the Termination Date shall be immediately forfeited and cancelled.

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Employee acknowledges and agrees that as of the Termination Date he is vested in the stock options set forth below, that these vested stock options are exercisable for eighteen months following the Termination Date (unless the original expiration date occurs prior to the end of such eighteen (18) month period) and that he has no other rights to equity or equity-based compensation in connection with his termination of employment.

Grant Name/Plan	Award Type	Grant Date	Grant Price	Number Granted	Vested and Exercisable
05/08/2012_2002Plan_ISO_5.73_0	Options (ISO)	08-May-2012	$5.73	70,000	70,000
05/07/2013_2002Plan_ISO_7.36_0	Options (ISO)	07-May-2013	$7.36	14,687	14,687
05/07/2013_2002Plan__7.36_0 - NQ	Options (NQ)	07-May-2013	$7.36	45,313	21,313
05/13/2014_2013 Plan_ISO_11.30_0	Options (ISO)	13-May-2014	$11.30	4,779	4,779
05/13/2014_2013 Plan__11.30_0 - NQ	Options (NQ)	13-May-2014	$11.30	13,951	13,951
05/12/2015_2013 Plan_ISO_10.08_01	Options (ISO)	12-May-2015	$10.08	9,774	9,774
05/12/2015_2013 Plan__10.08_01 - NQ	Options (NQ)	12-May-2015	$10.08	14,661	14,661
05/24/2016_2013 Plan_ISO-SLT_3.27	Options (ISO)	24-May-2016	$3.27	2,574	2,574
05/24/2016_2013 Plan_-SLT_3.27 - NQ	Options (NQ)	24-May-2016	$3.27	41,234	26,632

4. Full and Final Release. In consideration of the benefits provided by the Company, Employee, for Employee personally and Employee’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, fully, finally and forever releases and discharges the Company and its affiliates, as well as their respective successors, assigns, officers, owners, directors, agents, representatives, attorneys, and employees (all of whom are referred to throughout this Agreement as the "Released Parties"), of and from all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, damages, losses, and expenses, of any and every nature whatsoever, as a result of actions or omissions occurring through the date Employee signs this Agreement. Specifically included in this waiver and release are, among other things, any and all claims of alleged employment discrimination and retaliation prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, including the amendments provided by the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act, or any other federal, state or local statute, rule, ordinance, or regulation, as well as any claims under common law for tort, contract, or wrongful discharge. In exchange for Employee’s waiver and release of claims against the Released Parties, and non-revocation of any portion of that release, the Company expressly waives and releases any and all claims against the Employee that may be waived and released by law with the exception of claims arising out of or attributable to: (i) events, acts, or omissions taking place after the parties’ execution of the Agreement; (ii) Employee's breach of any terms and conditions of the Agreement; and (iii) Employee's criminal activities or intentional misconduct occurring during the Employee's employment with Company.

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5. Exceptions to the Release. The above release does not waive claims (i) for unemployment or workers’ compensation benefits, (ii) for vested rights under ERISA-covered employee benefit plans as applicable on the date Employee signs this Agreement, (iii) for indemnification as a former Officer of the Company, (iv) that may arise after Employee signs this Agreement, (v) rights and benefits described in this Agreement, and (vi) which cannot be released by private agreement. Employee understands that nothing in this Agreement (a) limits or affects Employee’s right to challenge the validity of this Release under the ADEA or the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act or (b) prevents Employee from filing a charge or complaint with or from participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal, state or local agency charged with the enforcement of any laws, including providing documents or other information, or (c) prevents Employee from exercising Employee’s rights under Section 7 of the NLRA to engage in protected, concerted activity with other employees, although by signing this Agreement, Employee is waiving his right to recover any individual relief (including any backpay, frontpay, reinstatement or other legal or equitable relief) in any charge, complaint, or lawsuit or other proceeding brought by Employee or on his behalf by any third party, except for any right Employee may have to receive a payment from a government agency (and not the Company) for information provided to the government agency.

6. Restrictive Covenants. Employee understands and acknowledges that by virtue of his employment with the Company, he had access to and knowledge of Confidential Information (defined hereafter), was in a position of trust and confidence with the Company, and benefitted from the Company’s goodwill. Employee further understands and acknowledges that the restrictive covenants below are necessary to protect the Company's legitimate business interests in its Confidential Information and goodwill. Employee further understands and acknowledges that the Company's ability to reserve these for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Company is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Company and that the Company would be irreparably harmed if the Employee violates the restrictive covenants below.

(a) Confidentiality. Employee understands and acknowledges that during the course of his employment, he has had access to and learned about confidential, secret and proprietary documents, materials and other information, in tangible and intangible form, of and relating to the Company, its businesses and existing and prospective customers, suppliers, investors and other associated third parties ("Confidential Information"). For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, all information not generally known to the public, whether oral or written, relating directly or indirectly to financial statements, projections, evaluations, plans, programs, customers, suppliers, facilities, equipment and other assets, products, processes, manufacturing, marketing, research and development, trade secrets, know-how, patent applications that have not been published, technology and other confidential information and intellectual property of the Company. Employee understands that the above list is not exhaustive, and that Confidential Information also includes other information that is marked or otherwise identified as confidential or proprietary, or that would otherwise appear to a reasonable person to be confidential or proprietary in the context and circumstances in which the information is known or used. Employee agrees, as a condition of this Agreement, that Employee will not use or disclose any Confidential Information which Employee learned or that came into Employee possession during the course of employment with the Company. Among other things, and without limitation, Employee will not use or disclose, without the consent of the Company, any trade secrets, confidential or proprietary information of or concerning the Company, its owners, affiliates, customers or suppliers.

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(b) Non-Solicitation of Employees. Employee understands and acknowledges that the Company has expended and continues to expend significant time and expense in recruiting and training its employees. Employee agrees, as a condition of this Agreement, not to directly or indirectly solicit, hire, recruit, attempt to hire or recruit, or induce the termination of employment of any employee of the Company for a period of eighteen (18) months from the Termination Date.

(c) Non-Solicitation of Customers. Employee understands and acknowledges that the Company has expended and continues to expend significant time and expense in developing customer relationships, customer information and goodwill, and that because of the Employee's experience with and relationship to the Company, he has had access to and learned about much or all of the Company’s customer information. Customer information includes, but is not limited to, names, phone numbers, addresses, e-mail addresses, order history, order preferences, chain of command, product information, pricing information and other information identifying facts and circumstances specific to the customer. Employee agrees, as a condition of this Agreement, not to directly or indirectly solicit, contact, attempt to contact or meet with the Company's current, former or prospective customers for purposes of offering or accepting goods or services competitive with those offered by the Company, as of the date of this Agreement, for a period of eighteen (18) months from the Termination Date.

(d) Reasonableness of Restrictions. If any covenant or provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole or in part, it shall not be deemed to affect or impair the validity of any other covenant or provision and Paragraphs 6(a), 6(b) or 6(c), are each declared to be separate and distinct covenants. If any court of law finds that any provision of this Paragraph 6 is invalid or unenforceable, then such provision shall be enforced to the extent deemed reasonable and enforceable by the court. Employee hereby agrees all restrictions contained in this section are reasonable and valid and all defenses to the strict enforcement thereof by the Company are hereby waived. Employee further acknowledges that a violation of any of the provisions of this section will result in immediate and irreparable damage to the Company and agrees that in the event of such violation, the Company, in addition to any other right of relief, shall be entitled to seek equitable relief by way of a temporary or permanent injunction and to such other relief that any court of competent jurisdiction may deem just and proper. If Employee is in breach of any such restrictions, the running of the period of such restrictions shall be stayed and shall recommence upon the date Employee ceases to be in breach thereof, whether voluntarily or by injunction.

4

(e) Survivability. The terms of this Paragraph 6 shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

7. Agreement Confidentiality. The nature and terms of this Agreement are strictly confidential and they have not been and shall not be disclosed by Employee at any time to any person other than Employee’s lawyer or accountant, a governmental agency, or Employee’s immediate family without the prior written consent of an officer of the Company, except as necessary in any legal proceedings directly related to the provisions and terms of this Agreement, to prepare and file income tax forms, or as required by court order after reasonable notice to the Company.

8. Cooperation. Employee agrees to cooperate with the Released Parties regarding any pending or subsequently filed litigation, claims or other disputes involving the Released Parties that relate to matters within the knowledge or responsibility of Employee. Without limiting the foregoing, Employee agrees (i) to meet with a Released Party’s representatives, its counsel or other designees at mutually convenient times and places with respect to any items within the scope of this provision; (ii) to provide truthful testimony regarding same to any court, agency, or other adjudicatory body; and (iii) to provide the Company with notice of contact by any adverse party or such adverse party’s representative, except as may be required by law. The Company will reimburse Employee for reasonable expenses in connection with the cooperation described in this paragraph.

9. Non-Admission. This Agreement shall not be construed as an admission by the Company of any liability or acts of wrongdoing or unlawful discrimination, nor shall it be considered to be evidence of such liability, wrongdoing, or unlawful discrimination.

10. Non-Disparagement. Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 5 above, Employee agrees not to make statements to clients, customers and suppliers of the Company (or any of its affiliates) or to other members of the public that are in any way disparaging or negative towards the Company, any of its affiliates, or the products, services, representatives or employees of any of the foregoing. The Company agrees that it will instruct David Colo, CEO, Robert McKeracher, CFO, Jill Barnett, General Counsel, Gerard Versteegh, SVP and Jeff Gough, CHRO, not to make statements to any person or entity external or internal to Company that are in any way disparaging or negative toward Employee. Nothing in this paragraph prohibits Employee from complying with a court order or lawful subpoena.

5

11. Advice of Counsel, Consideration and Revocation Periods, Other Information. The Company advises Employee to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement. Employee has twenty-one (21) days starting on the Termination Date to consider whether to sign this Agreement (the "Consideration Period"). Employee must return this signed Agreement to the Company’s representative set forth below within the Consideration Period but not prior to the Termination Date. If Employee signs and returns this Agreement before the end of the Consideration Period, it is because Employee freely chose to do so after carefully considering its terms. Additionally, Employee shall have fifteen days (15) from the date of the signing of this Agreement to revoke this Agreement by delivering a written notice of revocation within the fifteen-day revocation period to Jeff Gough, SunOpta, 7301 Ohms Lane, Suite 600, Edina, MN 55439. If the revocation period expires on a weekend or holiday, Employee will have until the end of the next business day to revoke. This Agreement will become effective on the sixteenth day after Employee signs this Agreement provided Employee does not revoke this Agreement. Any modification or alteration of any terms of this Agreement by Employee voids this Agreement in its entirety. Employee agrees with the Company that changes, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the Consideration Period. Employee knowingly and voluntarily agrees to all of the terms set forth in this Agreement.

12. Applicable Law and General Provisions. This Agreement shall be interpreted under Minnesota law. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties. Employee is not relying on any other agreements or oral representations not fully addressed in this Agreement. Any prior agreements between or directly involving Employee and the Company are superseded by this Agreement, except any prior agreements related to inventions, business ideas, confidentiality of corporate information, and non-competition remain intact. To the extent of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Company’s severance plan, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail. The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any part of this Agreement, except Paragraph 4, is found by a court of law to be unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will continue to be valid and effective. The headings in this Agreement are provided for reference only and shall not affect the substance of this Agreement.

In exchange for the promises contained in this Agreement, the Company promises to provide the benefits set forth in this Agreement.

Date: March 15, 2019

Jeff Gough
SunOpta
7301 Ohms Lane, Ste 600
Edina, MN 55439
/s/ Jeff Gough
Signature

Employee has read and understood this Agreement, signs this Agreement knowing he is waiving valuable rights, and acknowledges that this Agreement is final and binding.

Date: March 15, 2019
Not valid if signed
before Termination
Date John Ruelle


/s/ John Ruelle
Signature

6

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Joseph D. Ennen, certify that:

(1)	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of SunOpta Inc. for the quarter ended March 30, 2019;
(2)	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3)	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4)	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a -15(f) and 15d -15(f)) for the registrant and have:
	a.	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
	b.	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
	c.	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
	d.	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
(5)	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
	a.	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
	b.	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Joseph D. Ennen

Joseph D. Ennen

Chief Executive Officer

SunOpta Inc.

Date: May 8, 2019

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert McKeracher, certify that:

(1)	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of SunOpta Inc. for the quarter ended March 30, 2019;
(2)	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3)	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4)	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a -15(f) and 15d -15(f)) for the registrant and have:
	a.	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
	b.	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
	c.	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
	d.	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
(5)	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
	a.	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
	b.	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Robert McKeracher

Robert McKeracher

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

SunOpta Inc.

Date: May 8, 2019

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the quarterly report of SunOpta Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, Joseph D. Ennen, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and I, Robert McKeracher, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that to our knowledge:

1.	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

A signed original of this written statement, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement, has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. Date: May 8, 2019

/s/ Joseph D. Ennen

Joseph D. Ennen

Chief Executive Officer

SunOpta Inc.

/s/ Robert McKeracher

Robert McKeracher

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

SunOpta Inc.

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and should not be deemed to be filed under the Exchange Act by the Company or the certifying officer.

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019	May 03, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SunOpta Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000351834
Trading Symbol	stkl
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		87,584,158
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 30, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false

XML

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 305,275	$ 312,652
Cost of goods sold	277,069	278,968
Gross profit	28,206	33,684
Selling, general and administrative expenses	26,248	28,288
Intangible asset amortization	2,742	2,771
Other income, net	(43,512)	(402)
Foreign exchange loss (gain)	(1,104)	962
Earnings before the following	43,832	2,065
Interest expense, net	8,739	8,220
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	35,093	(6,155)
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes	9,498	(1,693)
Net earnings (loss)	25,595	(4,462)
Earnings attributable to non-controlling interests	(54)	(99)
Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.	25,649	(4,363)
Dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock	(1,995)	(1,967)
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ 23,654	$ (6,330)
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ (0.07)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26	$ (0.07)

XML

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss)	$ 25,595	$ (4,462)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of income taxes
Unrealized gains, net		573
Reclassification of net losses to earnings		134
Net changes related to cash flow hedges		707
Currency translation adjustment	(1,082)	1,456
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of income taxes	(1,082)	2,163
Comprehensive earnings (loss)	24,513	(2,299)
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	(46)	21
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.	$ 24,559	$ (2,320)

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 6,015	$ 3,280
Accounts receivable	120,335	132,131
Inventories	329,930	361,957
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	31,456	29,024
Income taxes recoverable	7,096	7,029
Total current assets	494,832	533,421
Property, plant and equipment	163,532	171,032
Operating lease right-of-use assets	75,503
Goodwill	26,292	27,959
Intangible assets	158,223	160,975
Deferred income taxes	182	182
Other assets	3,162	3,169
Total assets	921,726	896,738
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness	223,989	280,334
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	127,877	155,371
Customer and other deposits	1,543	1,445
Income taxes payable	4,246	2,208
Other current liabilities	437	862
Current portion of long-term debt	1,816	1,840
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	17,432
Current portion of long-term liabilities	4,286	4,286
Total current liabilities	381,626	446,346
Long-term debt	228,436	227,023
Operating lease liabilities	58,910
Long-term liabilities	1,259	2,079
Deferred income taxes	15,476	8,149
Total liabilities	685,707	683,597
Series A Preferred Stock	81,597	81,302
EQUITY SunOpta Inc. shareholders' equity
Common shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, 87,575,447 shares issued (December 29, 2018 - 87,423,280)	315,202	314,357
Additional paid-in capital	31,016	31,796
Accumulated deficit	(182,497)	(206,151)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,757)	(9,667)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total	152,964	130,335
Non-controlling interests	1,458	1,504
Total equity	154,422	131,839
Total equity and liabilities	921,726	896,738
Commitments and contingencies

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheet (parentheticals) - $ / shares	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common Stock Shares Issued	87,575,447	87,423,280
Common Stock, No Par Value	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common shares [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated deficit [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member]	Non-controlling interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 308,899	$ 28,006	$ (89,291)	$ (7,268)	$ 1,575	$ 241,921
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	86,757
Employee stock purchase plan	$ 136					136
Employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	23
Stock incentive plan	$ 540	(527)				13
Stock incentive plan (in shares)	60
Stock-based compensation		2,171				2,171
Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock			(1,700)			(1,700)
Accretion on Series A Preferred Stock			(267)			(267)
Net loss			(4,363)		(99)	(4,462)
Currency translation adjustment				1,336	120	1,456
Cash flow hedges, net of income taxes of $303				707		707
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	$ 309,575	29,650	(95,367)	(5,225)	1,596	240,229
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018	86,840
Cumulative effect of adoption of new revenue accounting standard			254			254
Balance at Dec. 29, 2018	$ 314,357	31,796	(206,151)	(9,667)	1,504	131,839
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2018	87,423
Employee stock purchase plan	$ 148					148
Employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	56
Stock incentive plan	$ 697	(534)				163
Stock incentive plan (in shares)	96
Withholding taxes on stock-based awards		(83)				(83)
Stock-based compensation		(163)				(163)
Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock			(1,700)			(1,700)
Accretion on Series A Preferred Stock			(295)			(295)
Net loss			25,649		(54)	25,595
Currency translation adjustment				(1,090)	8	(1,082)
Balance at Mar. 30, 2019	$ 315,202	$ 31,016	$ (182,497)	$ (10,757)	$ 1,458	$ 154,422
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 30, 2019	87,575

XML

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Operating activities
Net earnings (loss)	$ 25,595	$ (4,462)
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and amortization	8,302	8,141
Amortization of debt issuance costs	655	608
Deferred income taxes	7,327	(1,286)
Stock-based compensation	(163)	2,171
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts	112	1,521
Gain on sale of business	(45,579)	0
Fair value of contingent consideration		(2,416)
Impairment of long-lived assets		339
Other	(62)	1
Changes in non-cash working capital	4,801	2,889
Net cash flows from operations	988	7,506
Investing activities
Net proceeds from sale of business	64,876
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(7,974)	(6,735)
Proceeds from sale of assets		700
Net cash flows from investing activities	56,902	(6,035)
Financing activities
Increase (decrease) under line of credit facilities	(54,661)	309
Borrowings under long-term debt	1,852
Repayment of long-term debt	(723)	(522)
Payment of cash dividends on Series A Preferred Stock	(1,700)	(1,700)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee share purchases	228	149
Payment of debt issuance costs	(314)
Other	221	(40)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(55,097)	(1,804)
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash held in a foreign currency	(58)	29
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the period	2,735	(304)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of the period	3,280	3,228
Cash and cash equivalents - end of the period	6,015	2,924
Non-cash financing activity
Accrued cash dividends on Series A Preferred Stock	$ (1,700)	$ (1,700)

XML

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

1.  Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

SunOpta Inc. (the "Company" or "SunOpta") was incorporated under the laws of Canada on November 13, 1973.  The Company operates businesses focused on a healthy products portfolio that promotes sustainable well-being.  The Company's two reportable segments, Global Ingredients and Consumer Products, operate in the natural, organic and specialty food sectors and utilize an integrated business model to bring cost-effective and quality products to market. 

Basis of Presentation

The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information.  Accordingly, these condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation have been included and all such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature.  Operating results for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 28, 2019 or for any other period.  The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 29, 2018, except as described below under "Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adoption of New Accounting Standards".  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018.

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Company consists of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31.  Fiscal year 2019 is a 52-week period ending on December 28, 2019, with quarterly periods ending on March 30, June 29 and September 28, 2019.  Fiscal year 2018 was a 52-week period ending on December 29, 2018, with quarterly periods ending on March 31, June 30 and September 29, 2018. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of New Accounting Standard

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, "Leases" ("ASC Topic 842"), which amends various aspects of legacy accounting guidance for leases, including the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases classified as operating leases.  The Company adopted ASC Topic 842 on a modified retrospective basis beginning the first quarter of 2019, and elected the transition option not to apply the new guidance, including disclosure requirements, in comparative reporting periods.  Upon adoption, the Company also elected to apply the practical expedients available under the standard to not reassess its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs.  As a result, the adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not result in any cumulative-effect adjustment to the Company's opening accumulated deficit.  The adoption of the new guidance resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as at March 30, 2019, while the accounting for finance leases remained unchanged.  The new guidance did not have any impact on the consolidated results of operations or cash flows of the Company for the first quarter of 2019. 

See note 7 for additional disclosures under ASC Topic 842.

Recently Issued Accounting Standard, Not Adopted as at March 30, 2019

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which requires measurement and recognition of expected versus incurred credit losses for most financial assets.  The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

XML

Revenue

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue [Text Block]

2.  Revenue

The Company sources, processes and packages organic and natural food products, including specialty and organic raw commodities and value-added ingredients, and consumer-ready beverage, frozen fruit and fruit snack products.  The Company's customers include retailers, foodservice operators, branded food companies and food manufacturers. 

The following table presents a disaggregation of the Company's revenues based on categories used by the Company to evaluate sales performance: 

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019	March 31, 2018
	$	$
Global Ingredients
Internationally-sourced organic ingredients	105,884	102,267
North American-sourced seeds and grains(1)	22,159	34,064
Total Global Ingredients	128,043	136,331
Consumer Products
Beverage products(2)	88,069	85,250
Frozen fruit products(3)	76,677	77,471
Snack products(4)	12,486	13,600
Total Consumer Products	177,232	176,321
Total revenues	305,275	312,652

(1)Includes revenues from the specialty and organic soy and corn business prior to the sale of this business in the first quarter of 2019 (see note 3).

(2)Includes aseptically-packaged products including non-dairy plant-based beverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters.

(3)Includes individually quick frozen ("IQF") fruit for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and custom fruit preparations for industrial use. 

(4)Comprises fruit snack offerings, as well as the sale of $2.6 million of flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar products in the first quarter of 2018. The Company exited the flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines and operations in the fourth quarter of 2017 but continued to deliver remaining inventories to customers during the first quarter of 2018.

XML

Sale of Soy and Corn Business

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Sale Of Soy And Corn Business [Abstract]

Sale of Soy and Corn Business [Text Block]

3.  Sale of Soy and Corn Business

On February 22, 2019, the Company's subsidiary, SunOpta Grains and Foods Inc., completed the sale of its specialty and organic soy and corn business to Pipeline Foods, LLC ("Pipeline Foods") for $66.5 million, which is subject to certain post-closing adjustments including the finalization of the closing working capital balance.  The soy and corn business engaged in seed and grain conditioning and corn milling and formed part of the Company's Global Ingredients reportable segment.  The business included five facilities located in Hope, Minnesota, Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, Ellendale, Minnesota, Moorhead, Minnesota, and Cresco, Iowa.  The net proceeds from this transaction were initially used to repay borrowings under the Company's Global Credit Facility (see note 8).

Pending finalization of the post-closing adjustments, the Company recognized the following gain on sale of the soy and corn business, which was recorded in other income for the quarter ended March 30, 2019:

	$
Cash consideration	66,500
Transaction and related costs	(1,624	)
Net proceeds	64,876
Current assets	22,810
Property, plant and equipment	8,423
Goodwill	1,526
Current liabilities	(13,462	)
Net assets sold	19,297
Pre-tax gain on sale	45,579

As the soy and corn business did not qualify for presentation as discontinued operations, operating results for this business prior to February 22, 2019 were reported in continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations for the current and comparative periods.  For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, the soy and corn business generated revenues of $10.3 million and $21.4 million, respectively.  The soy and corn business reported a loss before income taxes of $0.2 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2019, and earnings before income taxes of $2.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.  These pre-tax results exclude management fees charged by Corporate Services and do not reflect other cost reduction measures associated with the sale of the soy and corn business that were taken in connection with the Value Creation Plan (see note 4).

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Value Creation Plan

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Value Creation Plan [Text Block]

4.  Value Creation Plan

Overview

In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company conducted a thorough review of its operations, management and governance, with the objective of maximizing the Company's ability to deliver long-term value to its shareholders.  As a product of this review, the Company developed a Value Creation Plan built on four pillars: portfolio optimization, operational excellence, go-to-market effectiveness, and process sustainability.  In addition to the sale of the Company's soy and corn business (as described in note 3) and related cost reduction measures, other actions taken under the Value Creation Plan have included the rationalization of certain of the Company's operations and facilities, including the closure of the Company's juice facility in San Bernardino, California, in the fourth quarter of 2016, the exit from flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines and operations initiated in the fourth quarter of 2017, and the consolidation of roasted snack operations and related disposal of the Company's roasting facility in Wahpeton, North Dakota, in the second quarter of 2018, as well as other cost savings initiatives.  In addition, other actions taken to-date under the Value Creation Plan include investments in certain of the Company's operations and facilities to enhance food safety and quality and to improve production efficiencies, as well as investments in personnel, processes and tools.

Costs Incurred Under the Value Creation Plan

The following table summarizes costs incurred under the Value Creation Plan for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018:

			Employee
	Asset		recruitment,		Consulting
	impairments		retention and		fees and
	and facility		termination		temporary
	closure costs(a)		costs(b)		labor costs		Total
	$		$		$		$
March 30, 2019
Balance payable, December 29, 2018(1)	477		436		-		913
Costs incurred and charged to expense	256		1,508		94		1,858
Cash payments, net	(381	)	(1,374	)	(94	)	(1,849	)
Non-cash adjustments	-		2,102		-		2,102
Balance payable, March 30, 2019(1)	352		2,672		-		3,024
March 31, 2018
Balance payable (receivable), December 31, 2017	(700	)	4,427		-		3,727
Costs incurred and charged to expense	1,650		435		110		2,195
Cash receipts (payments), net	700		(2,883	)	(110	)	(2,293	)
Non-cash adjustments	(339	)	-		-		(339	)
Balance payable, March 31, 2018	1,311		1,979		-		3,290

(1)Balance payable was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

(a)Asset impairments and facility closure costs

For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, costs incurred included costs to dismantle and move equipment from the Company's soy extraction facility in Heuvelton, New York, which was closed in December 2016.  As at March 30, 2019, the balance payable represented the remaining lease obligation (net of sublease rentals) related to the Company's former nutritional bar facility.  The lease and sublease on this facility extend to December 2020.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, costs incurred included the remaining lease obligation related to the former nutrition bar facility, and an impairment loss related to the disposal of the Company's roasting facility in Wahpeton, North Dakota.  Net cash receipts reflected proceeds on the sale of nutrition bar equipment.       

(b)Employee recruitment, retention and termination costs

For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, costs incurred included severance benefits related to the termination of the Company's former President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") in February 2019, and employee terminations from cost rationalizations associated with the sale of the soy and corn business, net of the reversal of $2.1 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation related to forfeited awards of terminated employees.  In addition, costs incurred included recruitment costs related to the Company's CEO transition, and accrued retention bonuses for certain employees who remain employed by the Company through specified retention dates.  As at March 30, 2019, the balance payable included severance benefits for the former CEO (paid in April 2019) and other severance benefits payable to certain employees through salary continuance extending up to 24 months, as well as accrued recruitment and retention costs.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, costs incurred represented severance benefits to terminated employees, and cash payments included retention bonuses that were paid out to certain employees. 

The following table summarizes costs incurred since the inception of the Value Creation Plan to March 30, 2019:

			Employee
	Asset		recruitment,		Consulting
	impairments		retention and		fees and
	and facility		termination		temporary
	closure costs		costs		labor costs		Total
	$		$		$		$
Costs incurred and charged to expense	34,908		16,489		21,073		72,470
Cash payments, net	(10,059	)	(16,342	)	(21,073	)	(47,474	)
Non-cash adjustments	(24,497	)	2,525		-		(21,972	)
Balance payable, March 30, 2019	352		2,672		-		3,024

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, costs incurred and charged to expense were recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as follows:

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019	March 31, 2018
	$	$
Cost of goods sold(1)	-	100
Selling, general and administrative expenses(2)	203	313
Other expense(3)	1,655	1,782
	1,858	2,195

(1) For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, inventory write-downs and facility closure costs recorded in cost of goods sold were allocated to the Consumer Products operating segment.

(2)Professional fees and employee retention and recruitment costs recorded in selling general and administrative expenses were allocated to Corporate Services. 

(3)For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, employee termination, recruitment and relocation costs, net of the reversal of stock-based compensation, and facility closure costs recorded in other expense were allocated as follows:  Global Ingredients reportable segment - $0.2 million (March 31, 2018 - $0.3 million); Consumer Products operating segment - $0.8 million (March 31, 2018 - $1.3 million); and Corporate Services - $0.7 million (March 31, 2018 - $0.1 million).

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Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements [Text Block]

5.  Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents for each of the fair value hierarchies, the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 30, 2019 and December 29, 2018:

			March 30, 2019
			Fair value
			asset (liability)			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
			$			$			$			$
Commodity futures contracts(1)
	Unrealized short-term derivative liability		(237	)		(237	)		-			-
Forward foreign currency contracts(2)
	Not designated as hedging instruments		716			-			716			-
Contingent consideration(3)			(4,286	)		-			-			(4,286	)
			December 29, 2018
			Fair value
			asset (liability	)		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
		$			$			$			$
Commodity futures and forward contracts(1)
	Unrealized short-term derivative asset		620			-			620			-
	Unrealized long-term derivative asset		7			-			7			-
	Unrealized short-term derivative liability		(581	)		(94	)		(487	)		-
	Unrealized long-term derivative liability		(17	)		-			(17	)		-
Forward foreign currency contracts(2)
	Not designated as hedging instruments		583			-			583			-
Contingent consideration(3)			(4,286	)		-			-			(4,286	)
Inventories carried at market(4)			3,239			-			3,239			-

(1)Commodity futures and forward contracts

As at March 30, 2019, outstanding contracts comprise exchange-traded commodity futures for cocoa and coffee.  As at December 29, 2018, outstanding contracts also included exchange-traded commodity futures and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts associated with the Company's sold soy and corn business.  Exchange-traded futures are fair valued based on unadjusted quotes for identical assets priced in active markets and are classified as level 1.  Fair value for forward commodity purchase and sale contracts was estimated based on exchange-quoted prices adjusted for differences in local markets and were classified as level 2.   

Exchange-traded commodity futures for cocoa and coffee are used as part of the Company's risk management strategy and represent economic hedges to limit risk related to fluctuations in the price of these commodities.  These contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.  Gains and losses on changes in fair value of these contracts are included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statement of operations.  For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, the Company recognized a loss of $0.1 million (March 31, 2018 - loss of $1.1 million) related to changes in the fair value of these contracts.  In addition, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized a loss of $0.4 million related to changes in the fair value of soy and corn futures and forward contracts.  On the consolidated balance sheets, unrealized gains on short-term and long-term contracts are included in other current assets and other assets, respectively, and unrealized losses on short-term and long-term contracts are included in other current liabilities and long-term liabilities, respectively.

As at March 30, 2019, the Company had net open futures contracts to sell 8,210 metric tons ("MT") of cocoa (December 29, 2018 - 6,730 MT sold) and to purchase 204 MT (December 29, 2018 - 85 MT purchased) of coffee.

(2)  Foreign forward currency contracts

As part of its risk management strategy, the Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.  For any open forward foreign exchange contracts at period end, the contract rate is compared to the forward rate, and a gain or loss is recorded.  These contracts are included in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as the inputs used in making the fair value determination are derived from and are corroborated by observable market data.  These contracts typically represent economic hedges that are not designated as hedging instruments; however, certain of these contracts may be designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. 

As at March 30, 2019, the Company had open forward foreign exchange contracts to sell euros to buy U.S. dollars with a notional value of €8.2 million ($10.0 million), and to sell British pounds to buy euros with a notional value of £1.8 million (€2.0 million).  In addition, as at March 30, 2019, the Company had open forward foreign exchange contracts to sell U.S. dollars to buy Mexican pesos with a notional value of $12.7 million (M$246.1 million).  As these contracts were not designated as hedging instruments, gains and losses on changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are included in foreign exchange loss or gain on the consolidated statement of operations.  For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, the Company recognized a gain of $0.6 million (March 31, 2018 - gain of $0.4 million) related to changes in the fair value of these contracts.  Unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in accounts receivable and accounts payable, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets.

As at March 31, 2018, the Company had designated open forward exchange contracts to sell U.S. dollars to buy Mexican pesos as hedging instruments.  As a result, effective portion of the gains and losses on changes in the fair value of those contracts was included in other comprehensive earnings and reclassified to cost of goods sold in the same period the hedged transaction affected earnings.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized a net unrealized gain in other comprehensive earnings of $0.8 million related to changes in the fair value of open contracts, and the Company reclassified $0.2 million of realized losses on closed contracts from other comprehensive earnings to cost of goods sold.

(3)  Contingent consideration

The fair value measurement of contingent consideration arising from business acquisitions is determined using unobservable (level 3) inputs.  These inputs include: (i) the estimated amount and timing of the projected cash flows on which the contingency is based; and (ii) the risk-adjusted discount rate used to calculate the present value of those cash flows.  The table below presents a reconciliation of the remaining contingent consideration obligation under an earn-out arrangement with the former unitholders of Citrusource, LLC ("Citrusource"), which was acquired by the Company in March 2015.  This remaining obligation is included in the current portion of long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as at March 30, 2019 and December 29, 2018.

		Quarter ended
		March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
		$		$
Balance, beginning of period		(4,286	)	(11,320	)
	Fair value adjustments(1)	-		2,416
Balance, end of period		(4,286	)	(8,904	)

(1)For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, included an adjustment of $2.5 million to reduce the final contingent consideration obligation payable in 2019 based on the results of Citrusource in fiscal 2018.  The parties are in the process of determining the final payment amount under the terms of the Unit Purchase Agreement.

(4)  Inventories carried at market

As at December 29, 2018, inventories carried at market represented inventories of commodity soy and corn associated with the Company's sold soy and corn business. The fair value of these inventories was determined using quoted market prices from the Chicago Board of Trade, as adjusted for differences in local markets, and broker or dealer quotes, and classified as level 2.  Gains and losses on these inventories were included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of operations.  Inventories carried at market were included in inventories on the consolidated balance sheet as at December 29, 2018.

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Inventories

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories [Text Block]

6.  Inventories

	March 30, 2019		December 29, 2018
	$		$
Raw materials and work-in-process	269,298		278,038
Finished goods	67,984		83,225
Company-owned grain	-		10,155
Inventory reserves	(7,352	)	(9,461	)
	329,930		361,957

The sale of the soy and corn business accounted for $2.3 million of the decline in finished goods inventories and all of the decline in company-owned grain inventories.

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Leases

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Leases [Text Block]

7.  Leases

The Company has operating leases for manufacturing plants, warehouses, offices, machinery and equipment, and farmland.  The Company subleases the farmland to third-party growers under operating leases.  The Company's operating leases have remaining noncancelable lease terms of less than one year to approximately 15 years, and typically require monthly rental payments that may be adjusted annually to give effect to inflation.  Real estate operating leases typically include options to extend the leases for up to 10 years.  Machinery and equipment operating leases typically include purchase options for the fair market value of the underlying asset at the end of the lease term.  Certain other leases for machinery and equipment include nominal purchase options at the end of the lease term that are reasonably certain of being exercised.  These leases are classified as finance leases and have remaining lease terms of less than one year to approximately four years. 

The following tables present supplemental information related to leases recognized in the consolidated financial statements:

			Quarter ended
			March 30, 2019
			$
Lease Costs
	Operating lease cost		5,203
	Finance lease cost
		Depreciation of right-of-use assets	297
		Interest on lease liabilities	36
	Sublease income		(120	)
	Net lease cost		5,416

			March 30, 2019
			$
Balance Sheet Classification
	Operating leases
		Operating lease right-of-use assets	75,503
		Current portion of operating lease liabilities	17,432
		Operating lease liabilities	58,910
		Total operating lease liabilities	76,342
	Finance leases
		Property, plant and equipment, gross	9,923
		Accumulated depreciation	(4,840	)
		Property, plant and equipment, net	5,083
		Current portion of long-term debt	1,262
		Long-term debt	1,933
		Total finance lease liabilities	3,195

			Quarter ended
			March 30, 2019
				$
Cash Flow Information
	Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities
		Operating cash flows from operating leases		5,378
		Operating cash flows from finance leases		36
		Financing cash flows from finance leases		392
	Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities
		Operating leases		-
		Finance Leases		-

			March 30, 2019
Other Information
	Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
		Operating leases		5.6
		Finance leases		2.0
	Weighted-average discount rate(1)
		Operating leases		8.9%
		Finance leases		4.2%

(1)In determining the present value of lease payments, the Company uses the implicit rate in the lease when that rate is readily determinable, which is the case for most of the Company's machinery and equipment leases.  In all other cases, including real estate leases, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate.  The Company applied the incremental borrowing rate as at December 30, 2018 (the first day of fiscal 2019) to leases that commenced prior to that date.  Discount rates are determined on a lease-by-lease basis.

		Operating leases		Finance leases
		$		$
Maturities of Lease Liabilities
	Remainder of 2019	13,822		1,107
	2020	17,346		715
	2021	14,436		715
	2022	12,611		715
	2023	8,389		179
	Thereafter	47,852		-
	Total lease payments	114,456		3,431
	Less: imputed interest	(38,114	)	(236	)
	Total lease liabilities	76,342		3,195

As at March 30, 2019, the Company had commitments for approximately $15 million of right-of-use assets for which the leases had not commenced. 

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Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt [Text Block]

8.  Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt

			March 30, 2019	December 29, 2018
			$	$
Bank indebtedness:
	Global Credit Facility(1)		220,190	276,776
	Bulgarian credit facility		3,799	3,558
			223,989	280,334
Long-term debt:
	Senior Secured Second Lien Notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs
		of $6,141 (December 29, 2018 - $6,472)(2)	217,357	217,026
	Asset-backed term loan		4,771	3,103
	Finance lease liabilities (see note 7)		3,195	3,706
	Other		4,929	5,028
			230,252	228,863
Less: current portion			1,816	1,840
			228,436	227,023

(1) Global Credit Facility

On February 11, 2016, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million, subject to borrowing base capacity (the "Global Credit Facility"). The Global Credit Facility is used to support the working capital and general corporate needs of the Company's global operations, in addition to funding future strategic initiatives.  The Global Credit Facility also includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and provides for borrowings on same-day notice, including in the form of swingline loans.  Subject to customary borrowing conditions and the agreement of any such lenders to provide such increased commitments, the Company may request to increase the total lending commitments under the Global Credit Facility to a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450.0 million.  Outstanding principal amounts under the Global Credit Facility are repayable in full on the maturity date of February 10, 2021. 

Individual borrowings under the Global Credit Facility have terms of six months or less and bear interest based on various reference rates, including prime rate and LIBOR plus an applicable margin.  The applicable margin in the Global Credit Facility ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for loans bearing interest based on LIBOR and from 0.25% to 0.75% for loans bearing interest based on the prime rate and, in each case, is set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter. SunOpta Inc.

On September 19, 2017, the Company entered into an amendment to the Global Credit Facility to add a $15.0 million U.S.  asset-based credit subfacility (the "U.S. Subfacility").  On October 22, 2018, the Global Credit Facility was further amended to increase the commitment under the U.S. Subfacility by $5.0 million.  The entire $20.0 million available for borrowing under the U.S. Subfacility was fully drawn as of March 30, 2019.  Commencing on March 31, 2019, quarterly amortization payments on the aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Subfacility are equal to $3.33 million, and these payments may be funded through borrowings under the revolving facilities of the Global Credit Facility.  Borrowings repaid under the U.S. Subfacility may not be borrowed again.  Borrowings under the U.S. Subfacility bear interest based on various reference rates plus a margin of 3.50%.  The applicable margin for the U.S. Subfacility is set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter ranges from 2.00% to 2.50% with respect to base rate and prime rate borrowings and from 3.00% to 3.50% for eurocurrency rate and bankers' acceptance rate borrowings.

As at March 30, 2019, the weighted-average interest rate on all borrowings under the Global Credit Facility was 3.74%.

Obligations under the Global Credit Facility are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company's subsidiaries and, subject to certain exceptions, such obligations are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company.

The Global Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the Company's ability to create liens on assets; sell assets and enter into sale and leaseback transactions; pay dividends, prepay junior lien and unsecured indebtedness and make other restricted payments; incur additional indebtedness and make guarantees; make investments, loans or advances, including acquisitions; and engage in mergers or consolidations.  The foregoing covenants are subject to certain threshold amounts and exceptions as set forth in the credit agreement.

(2) Senior Secured Second Lien Notes

On October 20, 2016, the Company's subsidiary, SunOpta Foods Inc. ("SunOpta Foods") issued $231.0 million of 9.5% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the "Notes").  As at March 30, 2019, the outstanding principal amount of the Notes was $223.5 million, reflecting the redemption of $7.5 million principal amount by SunOpta Foods in October 2017.  Debt issuance costs are recorded as a reduction against the principal amount of the Notes and are being amortized over the six-year term of the Notes.  Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 at a rate of 9.5% per annum.  The Notes will mature on October 9, 2022.  Giving effect to the amortization of debt issuance costs, the effective interest rate on the Notes is approximately 10.4% per annum.

At any time after October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 107.125% through October 8, 2019, 104.750% from October 9, 2019 through October 8, 2020, 102.375% from October 9, 2020 through October 8, 2021 and at par thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption.  Certain additional redemption rights were applicable prior to October 9, 2018.  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.

The Notes are secured by second-priority liens on substantially all of the assets that secure the credit facilities provided under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens.  The Notes are senior secured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with SunOpta Foods' existing and future senior debt and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated debt. The Notes are effectively subordinated to debt under the Global Credit Facility and any future indebtedness secured on a first priority basis.  The Notes are initially guaranteed on a senior secured second-priority basis by the Company and each of its subsidiaries (other than SunOpta Foods) that guarantees indebtedness under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions.

The Notes are subject to covenants that, among other things, limit the Company's ability to (i) incur additional debt or issue preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends and make certain types of investments and other restricted payments; (iii) create liens; (iv) enter into transactions with affiliates; (v) sell assets; and (vi) create restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends, make loans or advances or transfer assets to the Company, SunOpta Foods or any guarantor of the Notes.  The foregoing covenants are subject to certain threshold amounts and exceptions as set forth in the indenture governing the Notes.  In addition, the indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include nonpayment, breach of covenants in the indenture, certain payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency.  If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on, if any, all the Notes to be due and payable.

     As at March 30, 2019, the estimated fair value of the outstanding Notes was approximately $240 million, based on quoted prices of the most recent over-the-counter transactions (level 2).

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Series A Preferred Stock

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Temporary Equity [Abstract]

Series A Preferred Stock [Text Block]

9.   Series A Preferred Stock

On October 7, 2016, the Company and SunOpta Foods entered into a subscription agreement (the "Subscription Agreement") with Oaktree Organics, L.P. and Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund II, L.P. (collectively, the "Investors").  Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, SunOpta Foods issued an aggregate of 85,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") to the Investors for consideration in the amount of $85.0 million.  In connection with the issuance of the Preferred Stock, the Company incurred direct and incremental expenses of $6.0 million, which reduced the carrying value of the Preferred Stock.  At any time on or after October 7, 2021, SunOpta Foods may redeem all of the Preferred Stock for an amount, per share of Preferred Stock, equal to the value of the liquidation preference at such time.  The carrying value of the Preferred Stock is being accreted to the redemption amount of $85.0 million through charges to accumulated deficit over the period preceding October 7, 2021.

In connection with the Subscription Agreement, the Company agreed to, among other things (i) ensure SunOpta Foods has sufficient funds to pay its obligations under the terms of the Preferred Stock and (ii) grant each holder of Preferred Stock (the "Holder") the right to exchange the Preferred Stock for shares of common stock of the Company (the "Common Shares").  The Preferred Stock is non-participating with the Common Shares in dividends and undistributed earnings of the Company.

The Preferred Stock has a stated value and initial liquidation preference of $1,000 per share.  Cumulative preferred dividends accrue daily on the Preferred Stock at an annualized rate of 8.0% of the liquidation preference prior to October 5, 2025 and 12.5% of the liquidation preference thereafter (subject to an increase of 1.0% per quarter, up to a maximum rate of 5.0% per quarter on the occurrence of certain events of non-compliance).  Prior to October 5, 2025, SunOpta Foods may pay dividends in cash or elect, in lieu of paying cash, to add the amount that would have been paid to the liquidation preference.  After October 4, 2025, the failure to pay dividends in cash will be an event of non-compliance.  The Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of common stock of SunOpta Foods with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company or SunOpta Foods.  For each of the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, SunOpta Foods paid cash dividends on the Preferred Stock of $1.7 million.  As at March 30, 2019, SunOpta Foods had accrued unpaid dividends of $1.7 million, which were recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

At any time, the Holders may exchange their shares of Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, into the number of Common Shares equal to, per share of Preferred Stock, the quotient of the liquidation preference divided by $7.50 (such price, the "Exchange Price" and such quotient, the "Exchange Rate").  As at March 30, 2019, the aggregate shares of Preferred Stock outstanding were exchangeable into 11,333,333 Common Shares.  The Exchange Price is subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, including a weighted-average adjustment for issuances of Common Shares below the Exchange Price, provided that the Exchange Price may not be lower than $7.00 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances).  SunOpta Foods may cause the Holders to exchange all of the Preferred Stock into a number of Common Shares based on the applicable Exchange Price if (i) fewer than 10% of the shares of Preferred Stock issued on October 7, 2016 remain outstanding, or (ii) on or after October 7, 2019, the average volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares during the then preceding 20 trading day period is greater than 200% of the Exchange Price. 

In connection with the Subscription Agreement, the Company issued 11,333,333 Special Shares, Series 1 (the "Special Voting Shares") to the Investors, which entitle the Investors to one vote per Special Voting Share on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Shares, together as a single class, subject to certain exceptions.  Additional Special Voting Shares will be issued, or existing Special Voting Shares will be redeemed, as necessary to ensure that the aggregate number of Special Voting Shares outstanding is equal to the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding from time to time multiplied by the Exchange Rate in effect at such time.  As at March 30, 2019, 11,333,333 Special Voting Shares were issued and outstanding, which represented an approximate 11.5% voting interest in the Company.  The Special Voting Shares are not transferable, and the voting rights associated with the Special Voting Shares will terminate upon the transfer of the Preferred Stock to a third party, other than a controlled affiliate of the Investors.  The Investors are entitled to designate up to two nominees for election to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and have the right to designate one individual to attend meetings of the Board as a non-voting observer, subject to the Investors maintaining certain levels of beneficial ownership of Common Shares on an as-exchanged basis.  For so long as the Investors beneficially own or control at least 50% of the Preferred Stock issued on October 7, 2016, including any corresponding Common Shares into which such Preferred Stock are exchanged, the Investors will be entitled to (i) participation rights with respect to future equity offerings of the Company, and (ii) governance rights, including the right to approve certain actions proposed to be taken by the Company and its subsidiaries.

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Other Expense (Income), Net

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Other Expense (Income), Net [Text Block]

10.  Other Expense (Income), Net

The components of other expense (income) were as follows:

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
	$		$
Gain on sale of soy and corn business (see note 3)	(45,579	)	-
Employee termination and recruitment costs(1)	1,399		232
Product withdrawal and recall costs(2)	260		323
Facility closure costs(3)	256		1,550
Decrease in fair value of contingent consideration (see note 5(3))	-		(2,416	)
Other	152		(91	)
	(43,512	)	(402	)

(1)Employee termination and recruitment costs

For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, expenses represent severance benefits of $2.9 million for employees terminated in connection with the Value Creation Plan, including the Company's former CEO, net of the reversal of $2.1 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation expense related to forfeited awards previously granted to those employees.  In addition, expenses include recruitment costs related to the Company's CEO transition.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the expense represents severance benefits incurred in connection with the Value Creation Plan.

(2)Product withdrawal and recall costs

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, expenses represent product withdrawal and recall costs that were not eligible for reimbursement under the Company's insurance policies or exceeded the limits of those policies, including certain costs related to the voluntary recall of certain roasted sunflower kernel products initiated by the Company during the second quarter of 2016.

(3)Facility closure costs

For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, expenses include costs to dismantle and move equipment from the Company's former soy extraction facility located in Heuvelton, New York, which was subsequently sold in April 2019.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, expenses include the recognition of the remaining lease obligation related to the Company's former nutrition bar facility, and an impairment loss and closure costs related to the disposal of the Company's roasting facility in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

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Earnings (Loss) Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings (Loss) Per Share [Text Block]

11.  Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were calculated as follows (shares in thousands):

			Quarter ended
			March 30, 2019			March 31, 2018
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
	Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.		$	25,649		$	(4,363	)
	Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock			(1,995	)		(1,967	)
	Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$	23,654		$	(6,330	)
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding			87,475			86,810
Basic earnings (loss) per share			$	0.27		$	(0.07	)
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
	Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.		$	25,649		$	(4,363	)
	Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock(1)			-			(1,967	)
	Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$	25,649		$	(6,330	)
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding			87,475			86,810
	Dilutive effect of the following:
		Series A Preferred Stock(1)		11,333			-
		Stock options and restricted stock units(2)		191			-
	Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding			98,999			86,810
Diluted earnings (loss) per share			$	0.26		$	(0.07	)

(1) For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, it was more dilutive to assume the Preferred Stock was converted into Common Shares and, therefore, the numerator of the diluted loss per share calculation was adjusted to add back the dividends and accretion on the Preferred Stock and the denominator was adjusted to include 11,333,333 Common Shares issuable on an if-converted basis.

(2)For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, stock options and restricted stock units to purchase or receive 657,946 Common Shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect of reducing the loss per share.  In addition, for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, options to purchase 2,566,321 and 1,984,184 Common Shares, respectively, were anti-dilutive because the exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market price.

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Text Block]

12.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information

		Quarter ended
		March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
		$		$
Changes in non-cash working capital:
	Accounts receivable	4,211		(12,359	)
	Inventories	15,647		18,302
	Income tax recoverable/payable	1,971		3,341
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(4,621	)	(5,376	)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(12,507	)	381
	Customer and other deposits	100		(1,400	)
		4,801		2,889

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies [Text Block]

13.  Commitments and Contingencies

Product Recall

On November 20, 2017, Treehouse Foods, Inc., several of its related entities, and its insurer filed a lawsuit against the Company in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois titled Treehouse Foods, Inc. et al. v. SunOpta Grains and Food, Inc.  The Company was served with the Summons and Complaint on January 24, 2018.  After the Company removed the case to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint on April 23, 2018 and a second Amended Complaint on October 12, 2018.  The plaintiffs allege economic damages resulting from the Company's 2016 voluntary recall of certain roasted sunflower kernel products due to the potential for listeria monocytogenes contamination.  The plaintiffs brought claims for breach of contract, express and implied warranties and product guarantees, negligence, strict liability, negligent misrepresentation, and indemnity seeking $16.2 million in damages.  There are no allegations of personal injury.  On March 29, 2019, the court dismissed the plaintiffs' claims for negligence, strict liability, negligent misrepresentation, and common law indemnity.  The Company is vigorously defending itself against the remaining contract and warranty-based claims.  The Company cannot reasonably predict the outcome of this claim, nor can it estimate the amount of loss, or range of loss, if any, that may result from this claim.

Other Claims

In addition, various claims and potential claims arising in the normal course of business are pending against the Company. It is the opinion of management that these claims or potential claims are without merit and the amount of potential liability, if any, to the Company is not determinable. Management believes the final determination of these claims or potential claims will not materially affect the financial position or results of the Company. 

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Segmented Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segmented Information [Text Block]

14.  Segmented Information

The composition of the Company's reportable segments is as follows:

• Global Ingredients aggregates the Company's North American-based sunflower and roasted snack operations and international organic ingredients operations.  Global Ingredients included the operations of the specialty and organic soy and corn business that was sold in first quarter of 2019 (see note 3).

• Consumer Products consists of three main commercial platforms: Healthy Beverages, Healthy Fruit and Healthy Snacks.  Healthy Beverages includes aseptically-packaged products including non-dairy plant-based beverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters.  Healthy Fruit includes IQF fruits for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and custom fruit preparations for industrial use.  Healthy Snacks is focused on fruit snack offerings and included the ending contribution from the exited flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines in the first quarter of 2018. 

In addition, Corporate Services provides a variety of management, financial, information technology, treasury and administration services to each of the Company's operating segments from the Company's headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario and administrative office in Edina, Minnesota.

When reviewing the operating results of the Company's operating segments, management uses segment revenues from external customers and segment operating income/loss to assess performance and allocate resources.  Segment operating income/loss excludes other income/expense items.  In addition, interest expense and income taxes are not allocated to the operating segments.

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019
	Global	Consumer
	Ingredients	Products		Consolidated
	$	$		$
Segment revenues from external customers	128,043	177,232		305,275
Segment operating income (loss)	4,723	(1,338	)	3,385
Corporate Services				(3,065	)
Other income, net (see note 10)				43,512
Interest expense, net				(8,739	)
Earnings before income taxes				35,093
	Quarter ended
	March 31, 2018
	Global	Consumer
	Ingredients	Products		Consolidated
	$	$		$
Segment revenues from external customers	136,331	176,321		312,652
Segment operating income	3,102	3,316		6,418
Corporate Services				(4,755	)
Other income, net (see note 10)				402
Interest expense, net				(8,220	)
Loss before income taxes				(6,155	)

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Subsequent Events

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events [Text Block]

15.  Subsequent Events

Acquisition of Sanmark B.V.

On April 1, 2019, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Sanmark B.V. ("Sanmark") for $3.4 million, which was financed through existing credit facilities.  Sanmark is a sourcing and trading business focused on organic oils for the food, pharmacy, and cosmetic industries. Sanmark sources raw materials globally and generates most of its sales into the European and Asia-Pacific markets.  The results of operations of Sanmark will be included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and will be included in the international organic ingredients operations within Global Ingredients.

Stock-Based Compensation

Chief Executive Officer

On April 1, 2019, Joseph Ennen was appointed CEO of the Company. In connection with his appointment, the Company granted Mr. Ennen options to purchase 960,061 Common Shares, 297,619 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and 1,785,714 performance stock units (“PSUs”). The stock options vest on April 1, 2022, subject to Mr. Ennen continued employment during the vesting period, and expire on April 1, 2029. Each vested stock option will entitle Mr. Ennen to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $3.36, which was equal to the closing price of the Common Shares on April 1, 2019. The RSUs vest in three equal annual installments beginning on April 1, 2020, and each vested RSU will entitle Mr. Ennen to receive one Common Share of the Company.

The vesting of 892,857 of the PSUs granted is subject to the Company achieving annual adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") thresholds during fiscal years 2019 through 2022, as follows: 297,619 PSUs will vest upon the Company achieving annual adjusted EBITDA of $80 million, another 297,619 will vest upon the Company achieving annual adjusted EBITDA of $110 million, and the final 297,619 will vest upon the Company achieving annual adjusted EBITDA of $140 million, and subject to Mr. Ennen continued employment with the Company through the end of the fiscal year the adjusted EBITDA performance condition is achieved.  The vesting of the other 892,857 PSUs that were granted is subject to the Common Shares achieving certain volume-weighted average trading prices during a performance period commencing on April 1, 2019 and ending on December 31, 2022, as follows: 297,619 PSUs will vest upon achieving a trading price of $5.00 per share, another 297,619 will vest upon achieving a trading price of $9.00 per share, and the final 297,619 will vest upon achieving a trading price of $14.00 per share, in each case for 20 consecutive trading days, and subject to Mr. Ennen's continued employment with the Company through the date the stock price performance condition is achieved.  Each vested PSU will entitle Mr. Ennen to receive one Common Share without payment of additional consideration.

The grant-date fair values of the RSUs and PSUs subject to the adjusted EBITDA performance condition were estimated to be $3.36 based on the closing price of Common Shares on the date of grant.  A grant-date fair value of $1.68 was estimated for the stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $1.77 was estimated for the PSUs subject to the stock price performance condition using a Monte Carlo valuation model.  The following table summarizes the inputs to the Black-Scholes option-pricing and Monte Carlo valuation models:

	Stock Options		PSUs
Grant-date stock price	$	3.36	$	3.36
Exercise price	$	3.36		NA
Dividend yield		0%		0%
Expected volatility(1)		47.87%		55.68%
Risk-free interest rate(2)		2.36%		2.30%
Expected life (in years)(3)		6.50		1.82

(1)Determined based on the historical volatility of the Common Shares over the expected life of the stock options and performance period of the PSUs.

(2) Determined based on U.S. Treasury yields with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the stock options and performance period of the PSUs.

(3) Determined based on the mid-point of vesting (three years) and expiration (ten years) for the stock options and the derived service period for the PSUs. 

The aggregate grant-date fair value of the stock options, RSUs and PSUs awarded to Mr. Ennen was determined to be $7.2 million, which will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the stock options and RSUs and the derived service period for the PSUs.  Each reporting period, the number of PSUs subject to the adjusted EBITDA performance condition that are expected to vest will be redetermined and the grant-date fair value of the redetermined number of those PSUs will be amortized over the remaining service period less amounts previously recognized. 

Short-Term Incentive Plan

On April 12, 2019, the Company granted 2,222,570 PSUs to certain employees of the Company under its Short-Term Incentive Plan.  The vesting of the PSUs is subject to the Company achieving a predetermined measure of adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2019, and subject to each employee's continued employment with the Company through the first anniversary of the grant date.  The grant-date fair value of the PSUs was estimated to be $3.40 based on the closing price of the Common Shares on the date of grant.  The aggregate grant-date fair value of the PSUs of $7.6 million will be initially recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite one-year service period.  Each reporting period, the number of PSUs that are expected to vest will be redetermined and the grant-date fair value of the redetermined number of PSUs will be amortized over the remaining service period less amounts previously recognized.

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Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation [Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information.  Accordingly, these condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation have been included and all such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature.  Operating results for the quarter ended March 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 28, 2019 or for any other period.  The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 29, 2018, except as described below under "Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adoption of New Accounting Standards".  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018.

Fiscal Year [Policy Text Block]

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Company consists of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31.  Fiscal year 2019 is a 52-week period ending on December 28, 2019, with quarterly periods ending on March 30, June 29 and September 28, 2019.  Fiscal year 2018 was a 52-week period ending on December 29, 2018, with quarterly periods ending on March 31, June 30 and September 29, 2018. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of New Accounting Standard

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, "Leases" ("ASC Topic 842"), which amends various aspects of legacy accounting guidance for leases, including the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases classified as operating leases.  The Company adopted ASC Topic 842 on a modified retrospective basis beginning the first quarter of 2019, and elected the transition option not to apply the new guidance, including disclosure requirements, in comparative reporting periods.  Upon adoption, the Company also elected to apply the practical expedients available under the standard to not reassess its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs.  As a result, the adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not result in any cumulative-effect adjustment to the Company's opening accumulated deficit.  The adoption of the new guidance resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as at March 30, 2019, while the accounting for finance leases remained unchanged.  The new guidance did not have any impact on the consolidated results of operations or cash flows of the Company for the first quarter of 2019. 

See note 7 for additional disclosures under ASC Topic 842.

Recently Issued Accounting Standard, Not Adopted as at March 30, 2019

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which requires measurement and recognition of expected versus incurred credit losses for most financial assets.  The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

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Revenue (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Disaggregation Of Revenue [Table Text Block]

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019	March 31, 2018
	$	$
Global Ingredients
Internationally-sourced organic ingredients	105,884	102,267
North American-sourced seeds and grains(1)	22,159	34,064
Total Global Ingredients	128,043	136,331
Consumer Products
Beverage products(2)	88,069	85,250
Frozen fruit products(3)	76,677	77,471
Snack products(4)	12,486	13,600
Total Consumer Products	177,232	176,321
Total revenues	305,275	312,652

(1)Includes revenues from the specialty and organic soy and corn business prior to the sale of this business in the first quarter of 2019 (see note 3).

(2)Includes aseptically-packaged products including non-dairy beverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters.

(3)Includes individually quick frozen ("IQF") fruit for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and custom fruit preparations for industrial use. 

(4)Comprises fruit snack offerings, as well as the sale of $2.6 million of flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar products in the first quarter of 2018. The Company exited the flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines and operations in the fourth quarter of 2017 but continued to deliver remaining inventories to customers during the first quarter of 2018.

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Sale of Soy and Corn Business (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Sale Of Soy And Corn Business [Abstract]

Schedule of gain on sale of the soy and corn business [Table Text Block]

	$
Cash consideration	66,500
Transaction and related costs	(1,624	)
Net proceeds	64,876
Current assets	22,810
Property, plant and equipment	8,423
Goodwill	1,526
Current liabilities	(13,462	)
Net assets sold	19,297
Pre-tax gain on sale	45,579

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Value Creation Plan (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Schedule Of Restructuring And Related Costs [Table Text Block]

			Employee
	Asset		recruitment,		Consulting
	impairments		retention and		fees and
	and facility		termination		temporary
	closure costs(a)		costs(b)		labor costs		Total
	$		$		$		$
March 30, 2019
Balance payable, December 29, 2018(1)	477		436		-		913
Costs incurred and charged to expense	256		1,508		94		1,858
Cash payments, net	(381	)	(1,374	)	(94	)	(1,849	)
Non-cash adjustments	-		2,102		-		2,102
Balance payable, March 30, 2019(1)	352		2,672		-		3,024
March 31, 2018
Balance payable (receivable), December 31, 2017	(700	)	4,427		-		3,727
Costs incurred and charged to expense	1,650		435		110		2,195
Cash receipts (payments), net	700		(2,883	)	(110	)	(2,293	)
Non-cash adjustments	(339	)	-		-		(339	)
Balance payable, March 31, 2018	1,311		1,979		-		3,290

(1)Balance payable was included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

(a)Asset impairments and facility closure costs

For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, costs incurred included costs to dismantle and move equipment from the Company's soy extraction facility in Heuvelton, New York, which was closed in December 2016.  As at March 30, 2019, the balance payable represented the remaining lease obligation (net of sublease rentals) related to the Company's former nutritional bar facility.  The lease and sublease on this facility extend to December 2020.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, costs incurred included the remaining lease obligation related to the former nutrition bar facility, and an impairment loss related to the disposal of the Company's roasting facility in Wahpeton, North Dakota.  Net cash receipts reflected proceeds on the sale of nutrition bar equipment.       

(b)Employee recruitment, retention and termination costs

For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, costs incurred included severance benefits related to the termination of the Company's former President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") in February 2019, and employee terminations from cost rationalizations associated with the sale of the soy and corn business, net of the reversal of $2.1 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation related to forfeited awards of terminated employees.  In addition, costs incurred included recruitment costs related to the Company's CEO transition, and accrued retention bonuses for certain employees who remain employed by the Company through specified retention dates.  As at March 30, 2019, the balance payable included severance benefits for the former CEO (paid in April 2019) and other severance benefits payable to certain employees through salary continuance extending up to 24 months, as well as accrued recruitment and retention costs.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, costs incurred represented severance benefits to terminated employees, and cash payments included retention bonuses that were paid out to certain employees. 

The following table summarizes costs incurred since the inception of the Value Creation Plan to March 30, 2019:

			Employee
	Asset		recruitment,		Consulting
	impairments		retention and		fees and
	and facility		termination		temporary
	closure costs		costs		labor costs		Total
	$		$		$		$
Costs incurred and charged to expense	34,908		16,489		21,073		72,470
Cash payments, net	(10,059	)	(16,342	)	(21,073	)	(47,474	)
Non-cash adjustments	(24,497	)	2,525		-		(21,972	)
Balance payable, March 30, 2019	352		2,672		-		3,024

For the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, costs incurred and charged to expense were recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as follows:

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019	March 31, 2018
	$	$
Cost of goods sold(1)	-	100
Selling, general and administrative expenses(2)	203	313
Other expense(3)	1,655	1,782
	1,858	2,195

(1) For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, inventory write-downs and facility closure costs recorded in cost of goods sold were allocated to the Consumer Products operating segment.

(2)Professional fees and employee retention and recruitment costs recorded in selling general and administrative expenses were allocated to Corporate Services. 

(3)For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, employee termination, recruitment and relocation costs, net of the reversal of stock-based compensation, and facility closure costs recorded in other expense were allocated as follows:  Global Ingredients reportable segment - $0.2 million (March 31, 2018 - $0.3 million); Consumer Products operating segment - $0.8 million (March 31, 2018 - $1.3 million); and Corporate Services - $0.7 million (March 31, 2018 - $0.1 million).

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Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

			March 30, 2019
			Fair value
			asset (liability)			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
			$			$			$			$
Commodity futures contracts(1)
	Unrealized short-term derivative liability		(237	)		(237	)		-			-
Forward foreign currency contracts(2)
	Not designated as hedging instruments		716			-			716			-
Contingent consideration(3)			(4,286	)		-			-			(4,286	)
			December 29, 2018
			Fair value
			asset (liability	)		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
		$			$			$			$
Commodity futures and forward contracts(1)
	Unrealized short-term derivative asset		620			-			620			-
	Unrealized long-term derivative asset		7			-			7			-
	Unrealized short-term derivative liability		(581	)		(94	)		(487	)		-
	Unrealized long-term derivative liability		(17	)		-			(17	)		-
Forward foreign currency contracts(2)
	Not designated as hedging instruments		583			-			583			-
Contingent consideration(3)			(4,286	)		-			-			(4,286	)
Inventories carried at market(4)			3,239			-			3,239			-

Schedule Of Business Acquisitions By Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block]

		Quarter ended
		March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
		$		$
Balance, beginning of period		(4,286	)	(11,320	)
	Fair value adjustments(1)	-		2,416
Balance, end of period		(4,286	)	(8,904	)

(1)For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, included an adjustment of $2.5 million to reduce the final contingent consideration obligation payable in 2019 based on the results of Citrusource in fiscal 2018.  The parties are in the process of determining the final payment amount under the terms of the Unit Purchase Agreement.

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Inventories (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]

	March 30, 2019		December 29, 2018
	$		$
Raw materials and work-in-process	269,298		278,038
Finished goods	67,984		83,225
Company-owned grain	-		10,155
Inventory reserves	(7,352	)	(9,461	)
	329,930		361,957

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Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of lease costs [Table Text Block]

			Quarter ended
			March 30, 2019
			$
Lease Costs
	Operating lease cost		5,203
	Finance lease cost
		Depreciation of right-of-use assets	297
		Interest on lease liabilities	36
	Sublease income		(120	)
	Net lease cost		5,416

Schedule of Balance Sheet Classification, Cash Flow Information, Other Information [Table Text Block]

			March 30, 2019
			$
Balance Sheet Classification
	Operating leases
		Operating lease right-of-use assets	75,503
		Current portion of operating lease liabilities	17,432
		Operating lease liabilities	58,910
		Total operating lease liabilities	76,342
	Finance leases
		Property, plant and equipment, gross	9,923
		Accumulated depreciation	(4,840	)
		Property, plant and equipment, net	5,083
		Current portion of long-term debt	1,262
		Long-term debt	1,933
		Total finance lease liabilities	3,195

			Quarter ended
			March 30, 2019
				$
Cash Flow Information
	Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities
		Operating cash flows from operating leases		5,378
		Operating cash flows from finance leases		36
		Financing cash flows from finance leases		392
	Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities
		Operating leases		-
		Finance Leases		-

			March 30, 2019
Other Information
	Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
		Operating leases		5.6
		Finance leases		2.0
	Weighted-average discount rate(1)
		Operating leases		8.9%
		Finance leases		4.2%

Schedule of lease liabilities maturities [Table Text Block]

		Operating leases		Finance leases
		$		$
Maturities of Lease Liabilities
	Remainder of 2019	13,822		1,107
	2020	17,346		715
	2021	14,436		715
	2022	12,611		715
	2023	8,389		179
	Thereafter	47,852		-
	Total lease payments	114,456		3,431
	Less: imputed interest	(38,114	)	(236	)
	Total lease liabilities	76,342		3,195

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Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Table Text Block]

			March 30, 2019	December 29, 2018
			$	$
Bank indebtedness:
	Global Credit Facility(1)		220,190	276,776
	Bulgarian credit facility		3,799	3,558
			223,989	280,334
Long-term debt:
	Senior Secured Second Lien Notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs
		of $6,141 (December 29, 2018 - $6,472)(2)	217,357	217,026
	Asset-backed term loan		4,771	3,103
	Finance lease liabilities (see note 7)		3,195	3,706
	Other		4,929	5,028
			230,252	228,863
Less: current portion			1,816	1,840
			228,436	227,023

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Other Expense (Income), Net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block]

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
	$		$
Gain on sale of soy and corn business (see note 3)	(45,579	)	-
Employee termination and recruitment costs(1)	1,399		232
Product withdrawal and recall costs(2)	260		323
Facility closure costs(3)	256		1,550
Decrease in fair value of contingent consideration (see note 5(3))	-		(2,416	)
Other	152		(91	)
	(43,512	)	(402	)

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Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

			Quarter ended
			March 30, 2019			March 31, 2018
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
	Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.		$	25,649		$	(4,363	)
	Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock			(1,995	)		(1,967	)
	Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$	23,654		$	(6,330	)
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding			87,475			86,810
Basic earnings (loss) per share			$	0.27		$	(0.07	)
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
	Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.		$	25,649		$	(4,363	)
	Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock(1)			-			(1,967	)
	Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$	25,649		$	(6,330	)
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
	Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding			87,475			86,810
	Dilutive effect of the following:
		Series A Preferred Stock(1)		11,333			-
		Stock options and restricted stock units(2)		191			-
	Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding			98,999			86,810
Diluted earnings (loss) per share			$	0.26		$	(0.07	)

(1) For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, it was more dilutive to assume the Preferred Stock was converted into Common Shares and, therefore, the numerator of the diluted loss per share calculation was adjusted to add back the dividends and accretion on the Preferred Stock and the denominator was adjusted to include 11,333,333 Common Shares issuable on an if-converted basis.

(2)For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, stock options and restricted stock units to purchase or receive 657,946 Common Shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect of reducing the loss per share.  In addition, for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, options to purchase 2,566,321 and 1,984,184 Common Shares, respectively, were anti-dilutive because the exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market price.

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]

		Quarter ended
		March 30, 2019		March 31, 2018
		$		$
Changes in non-cash working capital:
	Accounts receivable	4,211		(12,359	)
	Inventories	15,647		18,302
	Income tax recoverable/payable	1,971		3,341
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(4,621	)	(5,376	)
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(12,507	)	381
	Customer and other deposits	100		(1,400	)
		4,801		2,889

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Segmented Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

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

	Quarter ended
	March 30, 2019
	Global	Consumer
	Ingredients	Products		Consolidated
	$	$		$
Segment revenues from external customers	128,043	177,232		305,275
Segment operating income (loss)	4,723	(1,338	)	3,385
Corporate Services				(3,065	)
Other income, net (see note 10)				43,512
Interest expense, net				(8,739	)
Earnings before income taxes				35,093
	Quarter ended
	March 31, 2018
	Global	Consumer
	Ingredients	Products		Consolidated
	$	$		$
Segment revenues from external customers	136,331	176,321		312,652
Segment operating income	3,102	3,316		6,418
Corporate Services				(4,755	)
Other income, net (see note 10)				402
Interest expense, net				(8,220	)
Loss before income taxes				(6,155	)

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Subsequent Events (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2019

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Schedule of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model [Table Text Block]

	Stock Options		PSUs
Grant-date stock price	$	3.36	$	3.36
Exercise price	$	3.36		NA
Dividend yield		0%		0%
Expected volatility(1)		47.87%		55.68%
Risk-free interest rate(2)		2.36%		2.30%
Expected life (in years)(3)		6.50		1.82

(1)Determined based on the historical volatility of the Common Shares over the expected life of the stock options and performance period of the PSUs.

(2) Determined based on U.S. Treasury yields with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the stock options and performance period of the PSUs.

(3) Determined based on the mid-point of vesting (three years) and expiration (ten years) for the stock options and the derived service period for the PSUs. 

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Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Entity Incorporation, Date of Incorporation	Nov. 13, 1973
Operating Cycle	The fiscal year of the Company consists of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2019 is a 52-week period ending on December 28, 2019, with quarterly periods ending on March 30, June 29 and September 28, 2019. Fiscal year 2018 was a 52-week period ending on December 29, 2018, with quarterly periods ending on March 31, June 30 and September 29, 2018.

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Revenue (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	$ 305,275	$ 312,652
Flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar products
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers		$ 2,600

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Sale of Soy and Corn Business (Narrative) (Details) - Sunopta Grains And Foods Inc [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 22, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business	$ 66.5
Revenue		$ 10.3	$ 21.4
Loss before income taxes		$ 0.2	$ 2.3

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Value Creation Plan (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reversal of previously recognized stock-based compensation related to forfeited awards of terminated employees	$ 2.1
Consumer Products [Member] | Employee termination, recruitment and relocation costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other expense	0.8	$ 1.3
Corporate Services [Member] | Employee termination, recruitment and relocation costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other expense	0.7	0.1
Global Ingredients [Member] | Employee termination, recruitment and relocation costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other expense	$ 0.2	$ 0.3

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Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions, £ in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019 USD ($) T	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2018 T	Mar. 30, 2019 EUR (€)	Mar. 30, 2019 GBP (£)	Mar. 30, 2019 MXN ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instrument	$ (112)	$ (1,521)
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Cocoa [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | T	8,210		6,730
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Coffee [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | T	204		85
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Recurring basis [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instrument	$ 100	1,100
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	600	400
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts To Sell Euros To Buy U.S. Dollars [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	10,000			€ 8.2
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts To Sell British Pounds To Buy Euros [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount				€ 2.0	£ 1.8
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts To Sell U.S. Dollars To Buy Mexican Pesos [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 12,700					$ 246.1
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Soy And Corn [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instrument		400
Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified to Earnings, Net		800
Gain (Loss) on Components Excluded from Assessment of Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedge Effectiveness		$ 200

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Inventories (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Decline in finished goods inventories due to sale of the soy and corn business	$ 2.3

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Leases (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Right-of-Use Asset for which lease had not commenced	As at March 30, 2019, the Company had commitments for approximately $15 million of right-of-use assets for which the leases had not commenced.
Minimum
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	1 year
Maximum
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract	15 years
Maximum | Real estate operating leases
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term	10 years

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Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Oct. 22, 2018	Sep. 19, 2017	Mar. 30, 2019	Oct. 20, 2016
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date			Feb. 11, 2016
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 350.0
Line Of Credit Facility, Increased Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 450.0
Line of Credit Facility, Description			On February 11, 2016, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million, subject to borrowing base capacity (the "Global Credit Facility"). The Global Credit Facility is used to support the working capital and general corporate needs of the Company's global operations, in addition to funding future strategic initiatives. The Global Credit Facility also includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and provides for borrowings on same-day notice, including in the form of swingline loans. Subject to customary borrowing conditions and the agreement of any such lenders to provide such increased commitments, the Company may request to increase the total lending commitments under the Global Credit Facility to a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450.0 million. Outstanding principal amounts under the Global Credit Facility are repayable in full on the maturity date of February 10, 2021.Individual borrowings under the Global Credit Facility have terms of six months or less and bear interest based on various reference rates, including prime rate and LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin in the Global Credit Facility ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for loans bearing interest based on LIBOR and from 0.25% to 0.75% for loans bearing interest based on the prime rate and, in each case, is set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter.
Debt Instrument, Term			5 years
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date			Feb. 10, 2021
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period			1.25%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period			1.75%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Prime Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period			0.25%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Prime Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate During Period			0.75%
US Subfacility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Description			On September 19, 2017, the Company entered into an amendment to the Global Credit Facility to add a $15.0 million U.S. asset-based credit subfacility (the "U.S. Subfacility").
Line of Credit Facility, Increase (Decrease), Net	$ 5.0	$ 15.0
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	$ 20.0
Line of Credit Facility, Date of First Required Payment			Mar. 31, 2019
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description			Borrowings under the U.S. Subfacility bear interest based on various reference rates plus a margin of 3.50%. The applicable margin for the U.S. Subfacility is set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter ranges from 2.00% to 2.50% with respect to base rate and prime rate borrowings and from 3.00% to 3.50% for eurocurrency rate and bankers' acceptance rate borrowings.
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			3.50%
Line of Credit Facility, Frequency of Payments			amortization payments on the aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Subfacility are equal to $3.33 million, and these payments may be funded through borrowings under the revolving facilities of the Global Credit Facility.
US Subfacility [Member] | Base Rate And Prime Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			2.00%
US Subfacility [Member] | Base Rate And Prime Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			2.50%
US Subfacility [Member] | Eurocurrency Rate And Bankers Acceptance Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			3.00%
US Subfacility [Member] | Eurocurrency Rate And Bankers Acceptance Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			3.50%
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				9.50%
Debt Instrument, Description			On October 20, 2016, the Company's subsidiary, SunOpta Foods Inc. ("SunOpta Foods") issued $231.0 million of 9.5% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the "Notes"). As at March 30, 2019, the outstanding principal amount of the Notes was $223.5 million, reflecting the redemption of $7.5 million principal amount by SunOpta Foods in October 2017. Debt issuance costs are recorded as a reduction against the principal amount of the Notes and are being amortized over the six-year term of the Notes.
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date			Oct. 20, 2016
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 223.5	$ 231.0
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Amount			$ 7.5
Amortization Of Debt Issuance Costs, Term			6 years
Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment			Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 at a rate of 9.5% per annum.
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Oct. 09, 2022
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Description			At any time after October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 107.125% through October 8, 2019, 104.750% from October 9, 2019 through October 8, 2020, 102.375% from October 9, 2020 through October 8, 2021 and at par thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. Certain additional redemption rights were applicable prior to October 9, 2018. 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.The Notes are secured by second-priority liens on substantially all of the assets that secure the credit facilities provided under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens. The Notes are senior secured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with SunOpta Foods' existing and future senior debt and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated debt. The Notes are effectively subordinated to debt under the Global Credit Facility and any future indebtedness secured on a first priority basis. The Notes are initially guaranteed on a senior secured second-priority basis by the Company and each of its subsidiaries (other than SunOpta Foods) that guarantees indebtedness under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions.The Notes are subject to covenants that, among other things, limit the Company's ability to (i) incur additional debt or issue preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends and make certain types of investments and other restricted payments; (iii) create liens; (iv) enter into transactions with affiliates; (v) sell assets; and (vi) create restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends, make loans or advances or transfer assets to the Company, SunOpta Foods or any guarantor of the Notes. The foregoing covenants are subject to certain threshold amounts and exceptions as set forth in the indenture governing the Notes. In addition, the indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include nonpayment, breach of covenants in the indenture, certain payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on, if any, all the Notes to be due and payable.As at March 30, 2019, the estimated fair value of the outstanding Notes was approximately $240 million, based on quoted prices of the most recent over-the-counter transactions (Level 2).
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage			10.40%
Debt Instrument, Debt Default, Percentage Of Principal Amount Of Outstanding Notes			25.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding			$ 240.0
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes [Member] | from October 9, 2018 through October 8, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			107.125%
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes [Member] | from October 9, 2019 through October 8, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			104.75%
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes [Member] | from October 9, 2020 through October 8, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			102.375%
Global Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate			3.74%

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Series A Preferred Stock (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 7.50
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	$ 1,700	$ 1,700
Accrued Unpaid Dividends	1,700	1,700
Preferred stock accretion to redemption value	$ 295	267
Series A Preferred Stock [Member] | Oaktree Organics, L.P. and Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund II, L.P.
Temporary Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	85,000
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	$ 85,000
Preferred Stock Issuance Costs	6,000
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount	$ 85,000
Preferred Stock, Redemption Terms	At any time on or after October 7, 2021, SunOpta Foods may redeem all of the Preferred Stock for an amount, per share of Preferred Stock, equal to the value of the liquidation preference at such time. The carrying value of the Preferred Stock is being accreted to the redemption amount of $85.0 million through charges to accumulated deficit over the period preceding October 7, 2021.
Preferred Stock, Dividend Preference or Restrictions	In connection with the Subscription Agreement, the Company agreed to, among other things (i) ensure SunOpta Foods has sufficient funds to pay its obligations under the terms of the Preferred Stock and (ii) grant each holder of Preferred Stock (the "Holder") the right to exchange the Preferred Stock for shares of common stock of the Company (the "Common Shares"). The Preferred Stock is non-participating with the Common Shares in dividends and undistributed earnings of the Company.
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$ 1,000
Preferred Stock Annualized Rate	8.00%
Preferred Stock, Dividend Payment Terms	Cumulative preferred dividends accrue daily on the Preferred Stock at an annualized rate of 8.0% of the liquidation preference prior to October 5, 2025 and 12.5% of the liquidation preference thereafter (subject to an increase of 1.0% per quarter, up to a maximum rate of 5.0% per quarter on the occurrence of certain events of non-compliance). Prior to October 5, 2025, SunOpta Foods may pay dividends in cash or elect, in lieu of paying cash, to add the amount that would have been paid to the liquidation preference. After October 4, 2025, the failure to pay dividends in cash will be an event of non-compliance. The Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of common stock of SunOpta Foods with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company or SunOpta Foods.
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	$ 1,700	$ 1,700
Accrued Unpaid Dividends	$ 1,700
Convertible Preferred Stock, Terms of Conversion	At any time, the Holders may exchange their shares of Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, into the number of Common Shares equal to, per share of Preferred Stock, the quotient of the liquidation preference divided by $7.50 (such price, the "Exchange Price" and such quotient, the "Exchange Rate"). As at March 30, 2019, the aggregate shares of Preferred Stock outstanding were exchangeable into 11,333,333 Common Shares. The Exchange Price is subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, including a weighted-average adjustment for issuances of Common Shares below the Exchange Price, provided that the Exchange Price may not be lower than $7.00 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances).
Convertible Preferred Stock, Settlement Terms	SunOpta Foods may cause the Holders to exchange all of the Preferred Stock into a number of Common Shares based on the applicable Exchange Price if (i) fewer than 10% of the shares of Preferred Stock issued on October 7, 2016 remain outstanding, or (ii) on or after October 7, 2019, the average volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares during the then preceding 20 trading day period is greater than 200% of the Exchange Price.
Preferred Stock, Voting Rights	In connection with the Subscription Agreement, the Company issued 11,333,333 Special Shares, Series 1 (the "Special Voting Shares") to the Investors, which entitle the Investors to one vote per Special Voting Share on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Shares, together as a single class, subject to certain exceptions. Additional Special Voting Shares will be issued, or existing Special Voting Shares will be redeemed, as necessary to ensure that the aggregate number of Special Voting Shares outstanding is equal to the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding from time to time multiplied by the Exchange Rate in effect at such time. As at March 30, 2019, 11,333,333 Special Voting Shares were issued and outstanding, which represented an approximate 11.5% voting interest in the Company. The Special Voting Shares are not transferable, and the voting rights associated with the Special Voting Shares will terminate upon the transfer of the Preferred Stock to a third party, other than a controlled affiliate of the Investors. The Investors are entitled to designate up to two nominees for election to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and have the right to designate one individual to attend meetings of the Board as a non-voting observer, subject to the Investors maintaining certain levels of beneficial ownership of Common Shares on an as-exchanged basis.
Preferred Stock, Participation Rights	For so long as the Investors beneficially own or control at least 50% of the Preferred Stock issued on October 7, 2016, including any corresponding Common Shares into which such Preferred Stock are exchanged, the Investors will be entitled to (i) participation rights with respect to future equity offerings of the Company, and (ii) governance rights, including the right to approve certain actions proposed to be taken by the Company and its subsidiaries.
Special Voting Shares, issued and outstanding	11,333,333
Special Voting Shares, voting interest of the company	11.50%

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Other Expense (Income), Net (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Employee termination and recruitment costs in connection with Value Creation Plan	$ 2.9
Reversal of previously recognized stock-based compensation expense related to forfeited awards	$ 2.1

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Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Common shares issuable on an if-converted basis adjusted to diluted EPS	11,333,333
Options Held [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,566,321	1,984,184
Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount		657,946

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Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - Product Recall [Member] $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Damages Sought	On November 20, 2017, Treehouse Foods, Inc., several of its related entities, and its insurer filed a lawsuit against the Company in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois titled Treehouse Foods, Inc. et al. v. SunOpta Grains and Food, Inc.  The Company was served with the Summons and Complaint on January 24, 2018.  After the Company removed the case to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint on April 23, 2018 and a second Amended Complaint on October 12, 2018.  The plaintiffs allege economic damages resulting from the Company's 2016 voluntary recall of certain roasted sunflower kernel products due to the potential for Listeria monocytogenes contamination.  The plaintiffs brought claims for breach of contract, express and implied warranties and product guarantees, negligence, strict liability, negligent misrepresentation, and indemnity seeking $16.2 million in damages.  There are no allegations of personal injury.  On March 29, 2019, the court dismissed the plaintiffs' claims for negligence, strict liability, negligent misrepresentation, and common law indemnity.  The Company is vigorously defending itself against the remaining contract and warranty-based claims.  The Company cannot reasonably predict the outcome of this claim, nor can it estimate the amount of loss, or range of loss, if any, that may result from this claim.
Loss Contingency Damages Sought Value	$ 16.2

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Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details) - Subsequent Event [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Apr. 12, 2019	Apr. 01, 2019
Sanmark B V [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding shares acquired		100.00%
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		$ 3.4
Stock Options [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Trading price		$ 3.36
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options		$ 1.68
Vesting period		3 years
Expiration period		10 years
Performance stock units ("PSUs") [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period		892,857
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of equity instruments other than options		$ 1.77
Trading price		$ 3.36
Performance stock units ("PSUs") [Member] | Fiscal Years 2019 Through 2022 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		892,857
Performance stock units ("PSUs") [Member] | Vest upon the Company achieving annual adjusted EBITDA of $80 million
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		297,619
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation And Amortization		$ 80.0
Performance stock units ("PSUs") [Member] | Vest upon the Company achieving annual adjusted EBITDA of $110 million
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		297,619
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation And Amortization		$ 110.0
Performance stock units ("PSUs") [Member] | Vest upon the Company achieving annual adjusted EBITDA of $140 million
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		297,619
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation And Amortization		$ 140.0
Performance stock units ("PSUs") [Member] | Vest upon achieving a trading price of $5.00 per share [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		297,619
Trading price		$ 5.00
Number of consecutive trading days		20 days
Performance stock units ("PSUs") [Member] | Vest upon achieving a trading price of $9.00 per share [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		297,619
Trading price		$ 9.00
Number of consecutive trading days		20 days
Performance stock units ("PSUs") [Member] | Vest upon achieving a trading price of $14.00 per share [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period		297,619
Trading price		$ 14.00
Number of consecutive trading days		20 days
Mr. Ennen [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Aggregate grant-date fair value of stock awards		$ 7.2
Mr. Ennen [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		960,061
Exercise price of stock option to purchase one common share		$ 3.36
Mr. Ennen [Member] | Performance stock units ("PSUs") [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		1,785,714
Trading price		$ 3.36
Mr. Ennen [Member] | Restricted stock units ("RSUs") [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		297,619
Trading price		$ 3.36
Short Term Incentive Plan [Member] | Performance stock units ("PSUs") [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period	2,222,570
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options	$ 3.40
Aggregate grant-date fair value of stock awards	$ 7.6
Service Period	1 year

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Disaggregation Of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers		$ 305,275	$ 312,652
Global Ingredients [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers		128,043	136,331
Global Ingredients [Member] | Internationally Sourced Organic Ingredients [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers		105,884	102,267
Global Ingredients [Member] | North American Sourced Grains And Seeds [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	[1]	22,159	34,064
Consumer Products [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers		177,232	176,321
Consumer Products [Member] | Beverage Products [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	[2]	88,069	85,250
Consumer Products [Member] | Frozen Fruit Products [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	[3]	76,677	77,471
Consumer Products [Member] | Snack Products [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	[4]	$ 12,486	$ 13,600

[1] Includes revenues from the specialty and organic soy and corn business prior to the sale of this business in the first quarter of 2019 (see note 3).

[2] Includes aseptically-packaged products including non-dairy beverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters.

[3] Includes individually quick frozen ("IQF") fruit for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and custom fruit preparations for industrial use.

[4] Comprises fruit snack offerings, as well as the sale of $2.6 million of flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar products in the first quarter of 2018. The Company exited the flexible resealable pouch and nutrition bar product lines and operations in the fourth quarter of 2017 but continued to deliver remaining inventories to customers during the first quarter of 2018.

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Sale of Soy and Corn Business (Details) - Sunopta Grains And Foods Inc [Member] - Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash consideration	$ 66,500
Transaction and related costs	(1,624)
Net proceeds	64,876
Current assets	22,810
Property, plant and equipment	8,423
Goodwill	1,526
Current liabilities	(13,462)
Net assets sold	19,297
Pre-tax gain on sale	$ 45,579

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Disclosure of costs incurred under the Value Creation Plan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Cost of goods sold		$ 277,069	$ 278,968
Selling, general and administrative expenses		26,248	28,288
Value Creation Plan [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance payable (receivable), Beginning		913	3,727
Costs incurred and charged to expense		1,858	2,195
Cash receipts (payments), net		(1,849)	(2,293)
Non-cash adjustments		2,102	(339)
Balance payable, Ending		3,024	3,290
Costs incurred and charged to expense to date		72,470
Cash payments, net to date		(47,474)
Non-cash adjustments to date		(21,972)
Cost of goods sold	[1]	0	100
Selling, general and administrative expenses	[2]	203	313
Other Expense	[3]	1,655	1,782
Value Creation Plan [Member] | Asset impairments and facility closure costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance payable (receivable), Beginning	[4]	477	(700)
Costs incurred and charged to expense	[4]	256	1,650
Cash receipts (payments), net	[4]	(381)	700
Non-cash adjustments	[4]	0	(339)
Balance payable, Ending		352	1,311	[4]
Costs incurred and charged to expense to date		34,908
Cash payments, net to date		(10,059)
Non-cash adjustments to date		(24,497)
Value Creation Plan [Member] | Employee recruitment, retention and termination costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance payable (receivable), Beginning	[5]	436	4,427
Costs incurred and charged to expense	[5]	1,508	435
Cash receipts (payments), net	[5]	(1,374)	(2,883)
Non-cash adjustments	[5]	2,102	0
Balance payable, Ending		2,672	1,979	[5]
Costs incurred and charged to expense to date		16,489
Cash payments, net to date		(16,342)
Non-cash adjustments to date		2,525
Value Creation Plan [Member] | Consulting fees and temporary labor costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance payable (receivable), Beginning		0	0
Costs incurred and charged to expense		94	110
Cash receipts (payments), net		(94)	(110)
Non-cash adjustments			0
Balance payable, Ending		0	$ 0
Costs incurred and charged to expense to date		21,073
Cash payments, net to date		(21,073)
Non-cash adjustments to date		$ 0

[1] For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, inventory write-downs and facility closure costs recorded in cost of goods sold were allocated to the Consumer Products operating segment.

[2] Professional fees and employee retention and recruitment costs recorded in selling general and administrative expenses were allocated to Corporate Services.

[3] For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, employee termination, recruitment and relocation costs, net of the reversal of stock-based compensation, and facility closure costs recorded in other expense were allocated as follows: Global Ingredients reportable segment - $0.2 million (March 31, 2018 - $0.3 million); Consumer Products operating segment - $0.8 million (March 31, 2018 - $1.3 million); and Corporate Services - $0.7 million (March 31, 2018 - $0.1 million).

[4] Asset impairments and facility closure costs

[5] Employee recruitment, retention and termination costs

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Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 30, 2019		Dec. 29, 2018		Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized short-term derivative liability		$ 437		$ 862
Contingent Consideration		(4,286)		(4,286)		$ (8,904)	$ (11,320)
Recurring basis [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration		(4,286)	[1]	(4,286)	[2]
Inventories carried at market	[2]			3,239
Recurring basis [Member] | Commodity futures and forward contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized short-term derivative asset	[3]			620
Unrealized long-term derivative asset	[3]			7
Unrealized short-term derivative liability	[3]	(237)		(581)
Unrealized long-term derivative liability	[3]			(17)
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration	[1]	0		0
Inventories carried at market	[2]			0
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Commodity futures and forward contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized short-term derivative asset	[3]			0
Unrealized long-term derivative asset	[3]			0
Unrealized short-term derivative liability	[3]	(237)		(94)
Unrealized long-term derivative liability	[3]			0
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration	[1]	0		0
Inventories carried at market	[2]			3,239
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Commodity futures and forward contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized short-term derivative asset	[3]			620
Unrealized long-term derivative asset	[3]			7
Unrealized short-term derivative liability	[3]	0		(487)
Unrealized long-term derivative liability	[3]			(17)
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration	[1]	(4,286)		(4,286)
Inventories carried at market	[2]			0
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Commodity futures and forward contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized short-term derivative asset	[3]			0
Unrealized long-term derivative asset	[3]			0
Unrealized short-term derivative liability	[3]	0		0
Unrealized long-term derivative liability	[3]			0
Recurring basis [Member] | Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Forward foreign currency contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative asset, notional amount	[4]	716		583
Recurring basis [Member] | Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Forward foreign currency contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative asset, notional amount	[4]	0
Recurring basis [Member] | Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Forward foreign currency contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative asset, notional amount	[4]	$ 716		$ 583

[1] Contingent consideration The fair value measurement of contingent consideration arising from business acquisitions is determined using unobservable (level 3) inputs. These inputs include: (i) the estimated amount and timing of the projected cash flows on which the contingency is based; and (ii) the risk-adjusted discount rate used to calculate the present value of those cash flows. The table below presents a reconciliation of the remaining contingent consideration obligation under an earn-out arrangement with the former unitholders of Citrusource, LLC ("Citrusource"), which was acquired by the Company in March 2015. This remaining obligation is included in the current portion of long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as at March 30, 2019 and December 29, 2018. Quarter ended March 30, 2019 March 31, 2018 $ $ Balance, beginning of period (4,286 ) (11,320 ) Fair value adjustments(1) - 2,416 Balance, end of period (4,286 ) (8,904 ) (1)For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, included an adjustment of $2.5 million to reduce the final contingent consideration obligation payable in 2019 based on the results of Citrusource in fiscal 2018. The parties are in the process of determining the final payment amount under the terms of the Unit Purchase Agreement.

[2] Inventories carried at market As at December 29, 2018, inventories carried at market represented inventories of commodity soy and corn associated with the Company's sold soy and corn business. The fair value of these inventories was determined using quoted market prices from the Chicago Board of Trade, as adjusted for differences in local markets, and broker or dealer quotes, and classified as level 2. Gains and losses on these inventories were included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of operations. Inventories carried at market were included in inventories on the consolidated balance sheet as at December 29, 2018.

[3] Commodity futures and forward contracts As at March 30, 2019, outstanding contracts comprise exchange-traded commodity futures for cocoa and coffee. As at December 29, 2018, outstanding contracts also included exchange-traded commodity futures and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts associated with the Company's sold soy and corn business. Exchange-traded futures are fair valued based on unadjusted quotes for identical assets priced in active markets and are classified as level 1. Fair value for forward commodity purchase and sale contracts was estimated based on exchange-quoted prices adjusted for differences in local markets and were classified as level 2.Exchange-traded commodity futures for cocoa and coffee are used as part of the Company's risk management strategy and represent economic hedges to limit risk related to fluctuations in the price of these commodities. These contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Gains and losses on changes in fair value of these contracts are included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statement of operations. For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, the Company recognized a loss of $0.1 million (March 31, 2018 - loss of $1.1 million) related to changes in the fair value of these contracts. In addition, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized a loss of $0.4 million related to changes in the fair value of soy and corn futures and forward contracts. On the consolidated balance sheets, unrealized gains on short-term and long-term contracts are included in other current assets and other assets, respectively, and unrealized losses on short-term and long-term contracts are included in other current liabilities and long-term liabilities, respectively.As at March 30, 2019, the Company had net open futures contracts to sell 831 metric tons ("MT") of cocoa (December 29, 2018 - 6,730 MT sold) and to purchase 204 MT (December 29, 2018 - 85 MT purchased) of coffee.

[4] Foreign forward currency contracts As part of its risk management strategy, the Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. For any open forward foreign exchange contracts at period end, the contract rate is compared to the forward rate, and a gain or loss is recorded. These contracts are included in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as the inputs used in making the fair value determination are derived from and are corroborated by observable market data. These contracts typically represent economic hedges that are not designated as hedging instruments; however, certain of these contracts may be designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. As at March 30, 2019, the Company had open forward foreign exchange contracts to sell euros to buy U.S. dollars with a notional value of 8.2 million ($10.0 million), and to sell British pounds to buy euros with a notional value of £1.8 million ( 2.0 million). In addition, as at March 30, 2019, the Company had open forward foreign exchange contracts to sell U.S. dollars to buy Mexican pesos with a notional value of $12.7 million (M$246.1 million). As these contracts were not designated as hedging instruments, gains and losses on changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments are included in foreign exchange loss or gain on the consolidated statement of operations. For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, the Company recognized a gain of $0.6 million (March 31, 2018 - gain of $0.4 million) related to changes in the fair value of these contracts. Unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are included in accounts receivable and accounts payable, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets.As at March 31, 2018, the Company had designated open forward exchange contracts to sell U.S. dollars to buy Mexican pesos as hedging instruments. As a result, effective portion of the gains and losses on changes in the fair value of those contracts was included in other comprehensive earnings and reclassified to cost of goods sold in the same period the hedged transaction affected earnings. For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized a net unrealized gain in other comprehensive earnings of $0.8 million related to changes in the fair value of open contracts, and the Company reclassified $0.2 million of realized losses on closed contracts from other comprehensive earnings to cost of goods sold.

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Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Contingent Consideration) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Derivative [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period		$ (4,286)	$ (11,320)
Fair value adjustments	[1]	0	(2,416)
Balance, end of period		$ (4,286)	$ (8,904)

[1] For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, included an adjustment of $2.5 million to reduce the final contingent consideration obligation payable in 2019 based on the results of Citrusource in fiscal 2018. The parties are in the process of determining the final payment amount under the terms of the Unit Purchase Agreement.

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Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials and work-in-process	$ 269,298	$ 278,038
Finished goods	67,984	83,225
Company-owned grain	0	10,155
Inventory reserves	(7,352)	(9,461)
Total Inventory, Net	$ 329,930	$ 361,957

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Lease, Cost (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Lease Costs
Operating lease cost	$ 5,203
Finance lease cost, Depreciation of right-of-use assets	297
Finance lease cost, Interest on lease liabilities	36
Sublease income	(120)
Net lease cost	$ 5,416

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Leases, Balance Sheet Classification (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Operating leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 75,503
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	17,432
Operating lease liabilities	58,910
Total operating lease liabilities	76,342
Finance leases
Property, plant and equipment, net	163,532	$ 171,032
Current portion of long-term finance leases	1,262
Long-term finance leases	1,933
Total finance lease liabilities	3,195	$ 3,706
Finance Leases [Member]
Finance leases
Property, plant and equipment, gross	9,923
Accumulated depreciation	(4,840)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 5,083

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Leases, Cash Flow Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 5,378
Operating cash flows from finance leases	36
Financing cash flows from finance leases	392
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities
Operating leases	0
Finance Leases	$ 0

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Leases, Other Information (Details)	Mar. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years), Operating leases	5 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years), Finance leases	2 years
Weighted-average discount rate, Operating leases	8.90%
Weighted-average discount rate, Finance leases	4.20%

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Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Operating leases
Remainder of 2019	$ 13,822
2020	17,346
2021	14,436
2022	12,611
2023	8,389
Thereafter	47,852
Total lease payments	114,456
Less: imputed interest	(38,114)
Total operating lease liabilities	76,342
Finance leases
Remainder of 2019	1,107
2020	715
2021	715
2022	715
2023	179
Thereafter	0
Total lease payments	3,431
Less: imputed interest	(236)
Total lease liabilities	$ 3,195	$ 3,706

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Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		$ 223,989	$ 280,334
Senior Secured Second Lien Notes, net of unamortized debt issuance costs	[1]	217,357	217,026
Asset-backed term loan		4,771	3,103
Total finance lease liabilities		3,195	3,706
Other		4,929	5,028
Total Long-term and Current Term Debt		230,252	228,863
Less: current portion		1,816	1,840
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total		228,436	227,023
Global Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	[2]	220,190	276,776
Bulgarian Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		$ 3,799	$ 3,558

[1] Senior Secured Second Lien Notes On October 20, 2016, the Company's subsidiary, SunOpta Foods Inc. ("SunOpta Foods") issued $231.0 million of 9.5% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the "Notes"). As at March 30, 2019, the outstanding principal amount of the Notes was $223.5 million, reflecting the redemption of $7.5 million principal amount by SunOpta Foods in October 2017. Debt issuance costs are recorded as a reduction against the principal amount of the Notes and are being amortized over the six-year term of the Notes. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 at a rate of 9.5% per annum. The Notes will mature on October 9, 2022. Giving effect to the amortization of debt issuance costs, the effective interest rate on the Notes is approximately 10.4% per annum.At any time after October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 107.125% through October 8, 2019, 104.750% from October 9, 2019 through October 8, 2020, 102.375% from October 9, 2020 through October 8, 2021 and at par thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. Certain additional redemption rights were applicable prior to October 9, 2018. 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.The Notes are secured by second-priority liens on substantially all of the assets that secure the credit facilities provided under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens. The Notes are senior secured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with SunOpta Foods' existing and future senior debt and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated debt. The Notes are effectively subordinated to debt under the Global Credit Facility and any future indebtedness secured on a first priority basis. The Notes are initially guaranteed on a senior secured second-priority basis by the Company and each of its subsidiaries (other than SunOpta Foods) that guarantees indebtedness under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions.The Notes are subject to covenants that, among other things, limit the Company's ability to (i) incur additional debt or issue preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends and make certain types of investments and other restricted payments; (iii) create liens; (iv) enter into transactions with affiliates; (v) sell assets; and (vi) create restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends, make loans or advances or transfer assets to the Company, SunOpta Foods or any guarantor of the Notes. The foregoing covenants are subject to certain threshold amounts and exceptions as set forth in the indenture governing the Notes. In addition, the indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include nonpayment, breach of covenants in the indenture, certain payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on, if any, all the Notes to be due and payable.As at March 30, 2019, the estimated fair value of the outstanding Notes was approximately $240 million, based on quoted prices of the most recent over-the-counter transactions (Level 2).

[2] Global Credit Facility On February 11, 2016, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million, subject to borrowing base capacity (the "Global Credit Facility"). The Global Credit Facility is used to support the working capital and general corporate needs of the Company's global operations, in addition to funding future strategic initiatives. The Global Credit Facility also includes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and provides for borrowings on same-day notice, including in the form of swingline loans. Subject to customary borrowing conditions and the agreement of any such lenders to provide such increased commitments, the Company may request to increase the total lending commitments under the Global Credit Facility to a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450.0 million. Outstanding principal amounts under the Global Credit Facility are repayable in full on the maturity date of February 10, 2021. Individual borrowings under the Global Credit Facility have terms of six months or less and bear interest based on various reference rates, including prime rate and LIBOR plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin in the Global Credit Facility ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for loans bearing interest based on LIBOR and from 0.25% to 0.75% for loans bearing interest based on the prime rate and, in each case, is set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter. On September 19, 2017, the Company entered into an amendment to the Global Credit Facility to add a $15.0 million U.S. asset-based credit subfacility (the "U.S. Subfacility"). On October 22, 2018, the Global Credit Facility was further amended to increase the commitment under the U.S. Subfacility by $5.0 million. The entire $20.0 million available for borrowing under the U.S. Subfacility was fully drawn as of March 30, 2019. Commencing on March 31, 2019, quarterly amortization payments on the aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Subfacility are equal to $3.33 million, and these payments may be funded through borrowings under the revolving facilities of the Global Credit Facility. Borrowings repaid under the U.S. Subfacility may not be borrowed again. Borrowings under the U.S. Subfacility bear interest based on various reference rates plus a margin of 3.50%. The applicable margin for the U.S. Subfacility is set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter ranges from 2.00% to 2.50% with respect to base rate and prime rate borrowings and from 3.00% to 3.50% for eurocurrency rate and bankers' acceptance rate borrowings. As at March 30, 2019, the weighted-average interest rate on all borrowings under the Global Credit Facility was 3.74%. Obligations under the Global Credit Facility are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company's subsidiaries and, subject to certain exceptions, such obligations are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company. The Global Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the Company's ability to create liens on assets; sell assets and enter into sale and leaseback transactions; pay dividends, prepay junior lien and unsecured indebtedness and make other restricted payments; incur additional indebtedness and make guarantees; make investments, loans or advances, including acquisitions; and engage in mergers or consolidations. The foregoing covenants are subject to certain threshold amounts and exceptions as set forth in the credit agreement.

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Other Expense (Income), Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Gain on sale of soy and corn business (see note 3)		$ (45,579)	$ 0
Employee termination and recruitment costs		1,399	232
Product withdrawal and recall costs		260	323
Facility closure costs		256	1,550
Decrease in fair value of contingent consideration	[1]	0	(2,416)
Other		152	(91)
Total Other Expense, net		$ (43,512)	$ (402)

[1] For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, included an adjustment of $2.5 million to reduce the final contingent consideration obligation payable in 2019 based on the results of Citrusource in fiscal 2018. The parties are in the process of determining the final payment amount under the terms of the Unit Purchase Agreement.

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Basic and diluted loss per share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.		$ 25,649	$ (4,363)
Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock		(1,995)	(1,967)
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$ 23,654	$ (6,330)
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share:
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding		87,475	86,810
Basic earnings (loss) per share		$ 0.27	$ (0.07)
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.		$ 25,649	$ (4,363)
Less: dividends and accretion on Series A Preferred Stock	[1]		(1,967)
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders		$ 25,649	$ (6,330)
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding		87,475	86,810
Dilutive effect of the following:
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding		98,999	86,810
Diluted earnings (loss) per share		$ 0.26	$ (0.07)
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Dilutive effect of the following:
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share	[1]	11,333	0
Stock Options And Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Dilutive effect of the following:
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share	[2]	191	0

[1] For the quarter ended March 30, 2019, it was more dilutive to assume the Preferred Stock was converted into Common Shares and, therefore, the numerator of the diluted loss per share calculation was adjusted to add back the dividends and accretion on the Preferred Stock and the denominator was adjusted to include 11,333,333 Common Shares issuable on an if-converted basis.

[2] For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, stock options and restricted stock units to purchase or receive 657,946 Common Shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect of reducing the loss per share. In addition, for the quarters ended March 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, options to purchase 2,566,321 and 1,984,184 Common Shares, respectively, were anti-dilutive because the exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market price.

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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	$ 4,211	$ (12,359)
Inventories	15,647	18,302
Income tax recoverable/payable	1,971	3,341
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(4,621)	(5,376)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(12,507)	381
Customer and other deposits	100	(1,400)
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital	$ 4,801	$ 2,889

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Segmented Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	$ 305,275	$ 312,652
Segment operating income (loss)	3,385	6,418
Other income, net	43,512	402
Interest expense, net	(8,739)	(8,220)
Earnings (Loss) before income taxes	35,093	(6,155)
Global Ingredients [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	128,043	136,331
Segment operating income (loss)	4,723	3,102
Consumer Products [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	177,232	176,321
Segment operating income (loss)	(1,338)	3,316
Corporate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment operating income (loss)	$ (3,065)	$ (4,755)

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Subsequent Events (Details) - Subsequent Event [Member]	Apr. 01, 2019 $ / shares
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant-date stock price	$ 3.36
Exercise price	$ 3.36
Dividend yield	0.00%
Expected volatility	47.87%	[1]
Risk-free interest rate	2.36%	[2]
Expected life (in years)	6 years 6 months	[3]
PSUs [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grant-date stock price	$ 3.36
Dividend yield	0.00%
Expected volatility	55.68%	[1]
Risk-free interest rate	2.30%	[2]
Expected life (in years)	1 year 9 months 26 days	[3]

[1] Determined based on the historical volatility of the Common Shares over the expected life of the stock options and performance period of the PSUs.

[2] Determined based on U.S. Treasury yields with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the stock options and performance period of the PSUs.

[3] Determined based on the mid-point of vesting (three years) and expiration (ten years) for the stock options and the derived service period for the PSUs.