CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 28, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 329,496	$ 682,388
Short-term marketable securities		77,387
Accounts receivable	514,398	507,041
Inventories	1,003,736	950,521
Income taxes receivable	2,868	16,460
Deferred income taxes	76,502	68,560
Prepaid expenses	14,867	12,772
Other current assets	9,723	5,555
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	1,951,590	2,320,684
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	137,542	144,245
GOODWILL	934,472	630,875
OTHER INTANGIBLES	380,410	123,072
PENSION ASSETS	49	49
INVESTMENTS IN AND RECEIVABLES FROM AFFILIATES	269,221	286,537
OTHER ASSETS	138,944	134,024
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land	58,589	56,258
Buildings	782,142	767,876
Equipment	1,519,715	1,435,630
Construction in progress	74,153	82,254
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	2,434,599	2,342,018
Less allowance for depreciation	(1,485,578)	(1,417,538)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	949,021	924,480
TOTAL ASSETS	4,761,249	4,563,966
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	369,887	385,877
Accrued expenses	32,467	49,792
Accrued workers compensation	37,169	33,543
Accrued marketing expenses	113,002	78,712
Employee related expenses	182,592	193,463
Taxes payable	6,128	4,864
Interest and dividends payable	48,239	40,049
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	789,484	786,300
PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	589,659	615,428
LONG-TERM DEBT-less current maturities	250,000	250,000
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	78,222	87,313
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Preferred stock, par value $.01 a share-authorized 160,000,000 shares; issued-none
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(325,565)	(323,569)
Retained earnings	3,363,363	3,135,317
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	3,045,535	2,819,455
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	8,349	5,470
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	3,053,884	2,824,925
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	4,761,249	4,563,966
Common stock, non-voting
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock
Common stock
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock	$ 7,737	$ 7,707