SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 26, 2014 segment	Jan. 27, 2013
SEGMENT REPORTING
Number of reportable business segments	5
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	$ 2,242,672	$ 2,116,241
Segment Operating Profit	244,998	203,520
Net interest and investment expense (income)	1,921	1,284
General corporate expense	8,916	6,644
Noncontrolling interest	1,110	1,329
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	235,271	196,921
Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	2,242,672	2,116,241
Intersegment sales
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	38,909	32,895
Intersegment elimination
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	(38,909)	(32,895)
Grocery Products
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	401,520	334,140
Segment Operating Profit	56,342	49,913
Grocery Products | Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	401,520	334,140
Refrigerated Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	1,128,421	1,063,401
Segment Operating Profit	85,299	53,790
Refrigerated Foods | Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	1,134,167	1,065,844
Refrigerated Foods | Intersegment sales
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	5,746	2,443
Jennie-O Turkey Store
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	399,400	390,334
Segment Operating Profit	59,545	58,945
Jennie-O Turkey Store | Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	432,529	420,755
Jennie-O Turkey Store | Intersegment sales
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	33,129	30,421
Specialty Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	195,979	233,845
Segment Operating Profit	21,255	23,761
Specialty Foods | Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	196,013	233,876
Specialty Foods | Intersegment sales
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	34	31
International & Other
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	117,352	94,521
Segment Operating Profit	22,557	17,111
International & Other | Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	$ 117,352	$ 94,521
Precept Foods, LLC
Operating profit and other financial information
Ownership percentage held by entity in joint venture	50.01%