SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Apr. 29, 2012	May 01, 2011	Apr. 29, 2012 segment	May 01, 2011
SEGMENT REPORTING
Number of reportable business segments			5
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	$ 2,012,859	$ 1,959,041	$ 4,052,298	$ 3,880,599
Net sales	2,012,859	1,959,041	4,052,298	3,880,599
Segment Operating Profit	199,779	183,609	403,501	429,401
Net interest and investment expense (income)	945	5,215	2,569	11,353
General corporate expense	6,088	11,969	14,815	23,221
Noncontrolling interest	1,048	1,123	1,986	2,332
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	193,794	167,548	388,103	397,159
Total
Operating profit and other financial information
Intersegment Sales	35,742	37,123	68,331	66,677
Grocery Products
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	263,993	260,273	533,472	537,172
Net sales	263,993	260,273	533,472	537,172
Segment Operating Profit	42,858	39,048	86,951	87,610
Refrigerated Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	1,031,975	1,040,624	2,115,500	2,051,326
Intersegment Sales	3,131	3,198	5,544	5,452
Net sales	1,035,106	1,043,822	2,121,044	2,056,778
Segment Operating Profit	53,009	70,250	106,758	166,384
Jennie-O Turkey Store
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	391,053	365,953	768,424	730,470
Intersegment Sales	32,585	33,885	62,720	61,143
Net sales	423,638	399,838	831,144	791,613
Segment Operating Profit	70,198	46,703	146,960	120,528
Specialty Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	228,947	205,001	446,971	396,346
Intersegment Sales	26	40	67	82
Net sales	228,973	205,041	447,038	396,428
Segment Operating Profit	20,859	19,164	37,506	36,442
All Other
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	96,891	87,190	187,931	165,285
Net sales	96,891	87,190	187,931	165,285
Segment Operating Profit	12,855	8,444	25,326	18,437
Intersegment elimination
Operating profit and other financial information
Intersegment Sales	(35,742)	(37,123)	(68,331)	(66,677)
Net sales	$ (35,742)	$ (37,123)	$ (68,331)	$ (66,677)
Precept Foods, LLC
Operating profit and other financial information
Ownership percentage held by entity in joint venture			50.01%

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Represents net interest and investment (income) expense during the period.

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The number of reportable segments of the entity.

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The net result for the period of deducting segment operating expenses from segment operating revenues, including the income (loss) from equity method investments.

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This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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The portion of net Income or Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest (if any) deducted in order to derive the portion attributable to the parent.

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Amount of revenue from external customers for the reportable segment. Such disclosure is presented if the amount is: (a) included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

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Amount of revenue from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity.

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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