STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015	Jun. 26, 2016	Jun. 28, 2015
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses:
Realized gain on sale of securities	$ 683	$ 1,277	$ 1,376	$ 2,767
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses	(1,742,184)	(1,621,856)	(3,467,559)	(3,297,655)
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses	$ (49,520)	$ (48,834)	(98,308)	(98,341)
Total before tax			204	(256)
Tax benefit (expense)			(77)	97
Net income			127	(159)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses:
Realized gain on sale of securities			534	101
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] | Union Plan [Member]
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses:
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses			(10)	(12)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] | Legacy Gold Kist Plans [Member]
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses:
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses			(100)	(108)
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses			$ (220)	$ (237)