SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jul. 29, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 29, 2012 segment	Jul. 31, 2011
SEGMENT REPORTING
Number of reportable business segments			5
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	$ 2,008,188	$ 1,910,592	$ 6,060,486	$ 5,791,191
Net sales	2,008,188	1,910,592	6,060,486	5,791,191
Segment Operating Profit	173,842	148,283	577,343	577,684
Net interest and investment expense (income)	2,363	5,484	4,932	16,837
General corporate expense	3,225	2,944	18,040	26,165
Noncontrolling interest	1,240	1,483	3,226	3,815
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	169,494	141,338	557,597	538,497
Total
Operating profit and other financial information
Intersegment Sales	32,327	36,394	100,658	103,071
Grocery Products
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	297,177	245,368	830,649	782,540
Net sales	297,177	245,368	830,649	782,540
Segment Operating Profit	40,052	30,428	127,003	118,038
Refrigerated Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	1,043,311	1,045,874	3,158,811	3,097,200
Intersegment Sales	2,385	4,313	7,929	9,765
Net sales	1,045,696	1,050,187	3,166,740	3,106,965
Segment Operating Profit	60,757	56,820	167,515	223,204
Jennie-O Turkey Store
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	351,604	327,809	1,120,028	1,058,279
Intersegment Sales	29,901	32,059	92,621	93,202
Net sales	381,505	359,868	1,212,649	1,151,481
Segment Operating Profit	39,106	34,851	186,066	155,379
Specialty Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	230,072	207,025	677,043	603,371
Intersegment Sales	41	22	108	104
Net sales	230,113	207,047	677,151	603,475
Segment Operating Profit	21,490	18,141	58,996	54,583
All Other
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	86,024	84,516	273,955	249,801
Net sales	86,024	84,516	273,955	249,801
Segment Operating Profit	12,437	8,043	37,763	26,480
Intersegment elimination
Operating profit and other financial information
Intersegment Sales	(32,327)	(36,394)	(100,658)	(103,071)
Net sales	$ (32,327)	$ (36,394)	$ (100,658)	$ (103,071)
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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