CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 27, 2014	Oct. 27, 2013
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 530,977	$ 434,014
Accounts receivable	536,505	551,500
Inventories	1,076,892	967,977
Income taxes receivable	6,622
Deferred income taxes	71,741	73,543
Prepaid expenses	13,140	13,000
Other current assets	9,164	7,379
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	2,245,041	2,047,413
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	22,812	25,086
GOODWILL	962,577	934,472
OTHER INTANGIBLES	373,716	378,093
PENSION ASSETS	199,770	162,535
INVESTMENTS IN AND RECEIVABLES FROM AFFILIATES	263,136	270,609
OTHER ASSETS	143,231	142,339
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land	61,564	58,506
Buildings	789,425	784,133
Equipment	1,564,491	1,532,527
Construction in progress	122,528	85,696
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	2,538,008	2,460,862
Less allowance for depreciation	(1,559,858)	(1,505,529)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	978,150	955,333
TOTAL ASSETS	5,188,433	4,915,880
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	358,016	387,284
Accrued expenses	45,211	20,965
Accrued workers compensation	38,361	38,217
Accrued marketing expenses	99,598	91,332
Employee related expenses	183,431	192,063
Taxes payable	4,464	8,637
Interest and dividends payable	56,018	45,511
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	785,099	784,009
PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	487,375	481,230
LONG-TERM DEBT-less current maturities	250,000	250,000
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	86,379	84,062
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Preferred stock, par value $.01 a share-authorized 160,000,000 shares; issued-none
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(151,771)	(149,214)
Retained earnings	3,715,339	3,452,529
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	3,571,303	3,311,040
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	8,277	5,539
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	3,579,580	3,316,579
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	5,188,433	4,915,880
Common stock, non-voting
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock
Common stock
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock	$ 7,735	$ 7,725