CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 29, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 533,217	$ 463,130
Short-term marketable securities	77,013	76,077
Accounts receivable	474,425	461,110
Inventories	927,047	885,823
Income taxes receivable	18,799	24,423
Deferred income taxes	68,086	69,203
Prepaid expenses	12,865	10,048
Other current assets	5,806	8,417
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	2,117,258	1,998,231
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	55,295	59,814
GOODWILL	630,875	630,884
OTHER INTANGIBLES	125,367	132,046
PENSION ASSETS	108,765	80,208
INVESTMENTS IN AND RECEIVABLES FROM AFFILIATES	296,785	295,698
OTHER ASSETS	132,482	140,420
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land	56,270	56,273
Buildings	757,474	749,143
Equipment	1,414,891	1,393,128
Construction in progress	91,809	50,286
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, GROSS	2,320,444	2,248,830
Less allowance for depreciation	(1,404,652)	(1,341,740)
TOTAL PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	915,792	907,090
TOTAL ASSETS	4,382,619	4,244,391
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	289,212	390,171
Accrued expenses	43,701	40,539
Accrued workers compensation	33,689	32,218
Accrued marketing expenses	84,739	77,363
Employee related expenses	176,886	195,258
Taxes payable	5,845	8,137
Interest and dividends payable	42,638	34,500
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	676,710	778,186
PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	477,102	473,688
LONG-TERM DEBT-less current maturities	250,000	250,000
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	82,608	82,701
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Preferred stock, par value $.01 a share-authorized 160,000,000 shares; issued-none
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(168,896)	(175,483)
Retained earnings	3,050,070	2,824,331
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	2,888,887	2,656,582
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	7,312	3,234
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	2,896,199	2,659,816
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	4,382,619	4,244,391
Common stock, non-voting
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock
Common stock
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock	$ 7,713	$ 7,734