Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 10,582us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 16,811us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Net unrealized (losses)/gains on derivative instruments, net of income tax	(841)	36
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(447)	(1,886)
Total other comprehensive loss	(1,288)	(1,850)
Total comprehensive income	9,294	14,961
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	54	5
Total comprehensive income attributable to Snyder’s-Lance, Inc.	$ 9,348us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 14,966us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to noncontrolling interests. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss), attributable to parent entity.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature, attributable to parent entity.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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