DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2012		Jun. 26, 2011		Dec. 25, 2011
Fair values:
Commodity derivative assets	$ 7,471				$ 2,870
Commodity derivative liabilities	(1,353)				(2,723)
Cash collateral posted with (owed to) brokers	(1,682)				3,271
Corn [Member]
Derivatives Coverage:
Derivatives Coverage	0.00%	[1]	0.00%	[1]
Soybeanmeal [Member]
Derivatives Coverage:
Derivatives Coverage	1.60%		0.00%	[1]
Period through which stated percent of needs are covered:
Derivative, Maturity Date	May 31, 2013
Sorghum [Member]
Derivatives Coverage:
Derivatives Coverage	50.60%
Period through which stated percent of needs are covered:
Derivative, Maturity Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Put Options Written [Member]
Period through which stated percent of needs are covered:
Open Option Contracts Written, at Fair Value	2,348				(603)
Number of contracts:
Open Option Contracts Written, Expiration Date	Dec. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012
Put Options Written [Member] | Corn [Member]
Number of contracts:
Open Option Contracts Written, Number of Contracts	0				500
Put Options Written [Member] | Sorghum [Member]
Number of contracts:
Open Option Contracts Written, Number of Contracts	1,395				0
Short Positions On Outstanding Futures [Member]
Period through which stated percent of needs are covered:
Open Option Contracts Written, at Fair Value	$ 2,643				$ 495
Short Positions On Outstanding Futures [Member] | Corn [Member]
Number of contracts:
Open Option Contracts Written, Number of Contracts	1,286				2,531
Short Positions On Outstanding Futures [Member] | Soybeanmeal [Member]
Number of contracts:
Open Option Contracts Written, Number of Contracts	119				96

[1] Derivatives coverage is the percent of anticipated corn and soybean meal needs covered by outstanding derivative instruments through a specified date. As of June 24, 2012, the Company's open short derivative positions for corn exceeded its long derivative positions. The Company will sometimes purchase short derivative instruments to offset negative price exposure on future fixed cash purchases. These positions expire by June 2013.