SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2014	Jul. 28, 2013	Jul. 27, 2014 segment	Jul. 28, 2013
SEGMENT REPORTING
Number of reportable business segments			5
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	$ 2,284,947	$ 2,159,525	$ 6,772,485	$ 6,428,452
Segment Operating Profit	224,639	183,216	692,729	582,295
Net interest and investment expense (income)	1,522	3,577	6,842	6,887
General corporate expense	11,174	2,833	27,242	19,228
Noncontrolling interest	1,039	270	2,765	2,720
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	212,982	177,076	661,410	558,900
Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	2,284,947	2,159,525	6,772,485	6,428,452
Intersegment sales
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	38,626	34,236	121,024	100,011
Intersegment elimination
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	(38,626)	(34,236)	(121,024)	(100,011)
Grocery Products
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	359,549	370,297	1,153,099	1,097,942
Segment Operating Profit	33,781	52,962	145,013	150,170
Grocery Products | Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	359,549	370,297	1,153,099	1,097,942
Refrigerated Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	1,192,624	1,068,587	3,432,289	3,143,358
Segment Operating Profit	90,028	44,769	250,724	153,239
Refrigerated Foods | Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	1,196,075	1,073,241	3,448,087	3,153,751
Refrigerated Foods | Intersegment sales
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	3,451	4,654	15,798	10,393
Jennie-O Turkey Store
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	382,647	367,125	1,162,472	1,142,198
Segment Operating Profit	64,756	45,623	177,109	156,567
Jennie-O Turkey Store | Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	417,775	396,684	1,267,599	1,231,740
Jennie-O Turkey Store | Intersegment sales
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	35,128	29,559	105,127	89,542
Specialty Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	216,406	240,512	629,561	720,048
Segment Operating Profit	17,378	23,170	57,767	72,898
Specialty Foods | Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	216,453	240,535	629,660	720,124
Specialty Foods | Intersegment sales
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	47	23	99	76
International & Other
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	133,721	113,004	395,064	324,906
Segment Operating Profit	18,696	16,692	62,116	49,421
International & Other | Operating segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales	$ 133,721	$ 113,004	$ 395,064	$ 324,906
Precept Foods, LLC
Operating profit and other financial information
Ownership percentage held by entity in joint venture			50.01%