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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-10-005509.txt : 20100219
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-10-005509.hdr.sgml : 20100219
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100219133859
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-10-005509
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100217
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100219
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100219

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WARDEN WILLIAM C JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001272225

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06905
		FILM NUMBER:		10619020

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 2328
		CITY:			HICKORY
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28603-2328

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RUDDICK CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000085704
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-GROCERY STORES [5411]
		IRS NUMBER:				560905940
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		301 S. TRYON STREET, SUITE 1800
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7043725404

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		301 S. TRYON STREET, SUITE 1800
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-02-17</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000085704</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RUDDICK CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RDK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001272225</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WARDEN WILLIAM C JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P.O. BOX 256</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WILKESBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>28697</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-02-17</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>28.3053</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-02-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1195</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1195</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3461</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>35.24</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-02-21</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-02-21</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The price in Column 4 is a weighted average price. The prices actually paid ranged from $28.275 to $28.33. The reporting person will provide to the issuer, any security holder of the issuer, or the SEC staff, upon request, information regarding the number of shares purchased at each price within the range.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">In addition, since the Reporting Person's last report, 11 shares were acquired pursuant to the dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Regarding Table II, Column 8, Price of Derivative Security, for PSU, a blank or a price of $0 appears in this column.  Nonetheless, upon each deferral of annual retainer or meeting fees, the Reporting Person's account is credited with a number of PSU equal to the number of shares of RDK that would have an aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date such retainer or fees would have been paid) equal to the amount of such retainer or fees.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">-Phantom Stock Units (PSU) - were acquired under the Ruddick Corporation Director Deferral Plan (Plan).

The Date Exercisable and Expiration Date for grants under the Plan are left blank, as suggested by the SEC.  When a participant ceases to be a member of the Board of Directors, the participant's PSU account will be settled in Ruddick Corporation Common Stock (RDK) on a one-for-one basis. Payment of the account, in RDK, shall be on the date 90 days following the date the Reporting Person ceases to be a member of the Board of Directors. Each PSU represents a share of RDK. A participant in the Plan may not be paid any portion of their PSU account prior to the participant's termination of service as a member of the Board of Directors.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Non-Qualified Stock Options expire the earlier of the stated Expiration Date or 90 days after the Reporting Person ceases to be a Director of the Corporation.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Douglas J. Yacenda, attorney-in-fact for William C. Warden, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-02-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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