CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 27, 2014	Oct. 27, 2013
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 499,330	$ 434,014
Accounts receivable	515,161	551,500
Inventories	1,053,501	967,977
Income taxes receivable	14,603
Deferred income taxes	71,749	73,543
Prepaid expenses	12,293	13,000
Other current assets	5,975	7,379
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	2,172,612	2,047,413
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	17,912	25,086
GOODWILL	962,204	934,472
OTHER INTANGIBLES	376,058	378,093
PENSION ASSETS	170,351	162,535
INVESTMENTS IN AND RECEIVABLES FROM AFFILIATES	267,706	270,609
OTHER ASSETS	142,734	142,339
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land	61,557	58,506
Buildings	786,815	784,133
Equipment	1,558,011	1,532,527
Construction in progress	120,427	85,696
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	2,526,810	2,460,862
Less allowance for depreciation	(1,550,563)	(1,505,529)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	976,247	955,333
TOTAL ASSETS	5,085,824	4,915,880
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	339,354	387,284
Accrued expenses	43,385	20,965
Accrued workers compensation	39,207	38,217
Accrued marketing expenses	109,061	91,332
Employee related expenses	163,501	192,063
Taxes payable	4,067	8,637
Interest and dividends payable	53,419	45,511
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	751,994	784,009
PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	485,473	481,230
LONG-TERM DEBT-less current maturities	250,000	250,000
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	85,213	84,062
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Preferred stock, par value $.01 a share-authorized 160,000,000 shares; issued-none
Additional paid-in capital	37
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(142,318)	(149,214)
Retained earnings	3,640,464	3,452,529
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	3,505,916	3,311,040
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	7,228	5,539
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	3,513,144	3,316,579
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	5,085,824	4,915,880
Common stock, non-voting
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock
Common stock
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock	$ 7,733	$ 7,725