Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,800	$ 20,841
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1,938 and $1,884, respectively	139,569	143,238
Inventories	109,025	106,261
Income tax receivable	0	18,119
Deferred income taxes	9,298	21,042
Assets held for sale	11,439	57,822
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	21,902	20,705
Total current assets	300,033	388,028
Noncurrent assets:
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $331,485 and $328,648, respectively	324,913	313,043
Goodwill	369,932	367,853
Other intangible assets, net	379,871	376,062
Other noncurrent assets	22,557	21,804
Total assets	1,397,306	1,466,790
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	4,347	4,256
Accounts payable	51,412	52,930
Accrued compensation	25,312	29,248
Accrued selling and promotional costs	14,325	21,465
Income tax payable	484	0
Other payables and accrued liabilities	35,789	47,247
Total current liabilities	131,669	155,146
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt	191,551	253,939
Deferred income taxes	176,943	196,244
Other noncurrent liabilities	23,475	22,870
Total liabilities	523,638	628,199
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, 68,676,060 and 67,820,798 shares outstanding, respectively	57,228	56,515
Preferred stock, no shares outstanding	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	743,519	730,338
Retained earnings	54,053	35,539
Accumulated other comprehensive income	16,225	13,719
Total Snyder's-Lance, Inc. stockholders' equity	871,025	836,111
Noncontrolling interests	2,643	2,480
Total stockholders' equity	873,668	838,591
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,397,306	$ 1,466,790