Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (9,566)	$ (5,117)	$ 6,683
Less: Net income from discontinued operations			16,312
Net loss from continuing operations	(9,566)	(5,117)	(9,629)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in ) operations:
Depreciation and amortization	14,127	14,415	14,791
Loss on redemption of Series A Preferred Stock	6,599
Non-cash interest on Series A Preferred Stock		3,859	1,452
Stock-based compensation	1,387	1,117	1,611
Loss (gain) on sale and disposal of assets	26	6	(2)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	4,965	142	(4,578)
Gain on derivative transactions	(176)	(1,620)	(3,134)
Foreign currency transaction gain			(419)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt			1,049
Other	20
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	(4,450)	(2,769)	5,250
Inventories	(6,460)	(11,264)	1,405
Decrease (increase) in margin accounts	2,285	1,975	(502)
Prepaid expenses	(536)	(754)	(383)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,310	1,637	(598)
Income tax receivable	(96)	3,557	(138)
Payment of interest on Series A Preferred Stock, net	(5,311)
Other	(2,359)	(2,269)	3,893
Net cash flow provided by operating activities - continuing operations	2,765	2,915	10,068
Investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment, net	(14,146)	(8,295)	(5,980)
Acquisition of Carolina Starches, net of cash acquired	(8,347)
Net proceeds received from sale of discontinued operations and other	75	42	20,712
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities - continuing operations	(22,418)	(8,253)	14,732
Financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit	88,706	38,550	30,700
Payments on revolving line of credit	(28,200)	(35,350)	(58,033)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			2,000
Payments on long-term debt	(200)	(200)	(45,992)
Redemption of Series A preferred stock	(40,000)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock			40,000
Issuance costs of preferred stock			(1,995)
Payments on capital lease obligations	(249)	(253)	(245)
Payment of loan fees	(973)		(1,227)
Increase in cash overdraft	434	2,518	4,385
Other	8	39	19
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities - continuing operations	19,526	5,304	(30,388)
Cash flows from discontinued operations:
Net cash provided by operating activities			6,329
Net cash used in investing activities			(2,848)
Net cash used in financing activities			(3,399)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(353)
Net cash used in discontinued operations			(271)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(127)	(34)	(5,859)
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations , beginning of year	281	315	5,540
Cash balance of discontinued operations, beginning of year			634
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	154	281	315
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	12,481	3,815	4,939
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	260	(3,373)	(172)
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Capital lease obligations incurred for certain equipment leases	$ 152	$ 10	$ 34