CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 29, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 548,618	$ 463,130
Short-term marketable securities	76,383	76,077
Accounts receivable	422,505	461,110
Inventories	882,828	885,823
Income taxes receivable		24,423
Deferred income taxes	69,485	69,203
Prepaid expenses	12,952	10,048
Other current assets	8,960	8,417
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	2,021,731	1,998,231
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	66,077	59,814
GOODWILL	630,875	630,884
OTHER INTANGIBLES	129,620	132,046
PENSION ASSETS	78,226	80,208
INVESTMENTS IN AND RECEIVABLES FROM AFFILIATES	292,901	295,698
OTHER ASSETS	142,582	140,420
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land	56,231	56,273
Buildings	749,757	749,143
Equipment	1,401,244	1,393,128
Construction in progress	62,322	50,286
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, GROSS	2,269,554	2,248,830
Less allowance for depreciation	(1,361,272)	(1,341,740)
TOTAL PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	908,282	907,090
TOTAL ASSETS	4,270,294	4,244,391
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	308,721	390,171
Accrued expenses	69,177	40,539
Accrued workers compensation	32,897	32,218
Accrued marketing expenses	91,135	77,363
Employee related expenses	139,030	195,258
Taxes payable	40,875	8,137
Interest and dividends payable	42,751	34,500
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	724,586	778,186
PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	475,061	473,688
LONG-TERM DEBT-less current maturities	250,000	250,000
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	81,541	82,701
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Preferred stock, par value $.01 a share-authorized 160,000,000 shares; issued-none
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(185,336)	(175,483)
Retained earnings	2,912,503	2,824,331
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	2,734,898	2,656,582
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	4,208	3,234
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	2,739,106	2,659,816
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	4,270,294	4,244,391
Common stock, nonvoting
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock
Common stock
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock	$ 7,731	$ 7,734