Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2012

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Summary of changes in the company's goodwill

	U.S. Retail Coffee			U.S. Retail Consumer Foods			International, Foodservice, and Natural Foods		Total
Balance at May 1, 2010	$	1,635,413		$	1,034,395		$	137,922	$	2,807,730
Other		(47	)		1,772			3,291		5,016
Balance at April 30, 2011	$	1,635,366		$	1,036,167		$	141,213	$	2,812,746
Acquisitions		84,845			—			156,778		241,623
Other		86			(925	)		1,088		249
Balance at April 30, 2012	$	1,720,297		$	1,035,242		$	299,079	$	3,054,618

Other intangible assets and related accumulated amortization and impairment charges

	April 30, 2012						April 30, 2011
	Acquisition Cost		Accumulated Amortization/ Impairment Charges		Net		Acquisition Cost		Accumulated Amortization/ Impairment Charges		Net
Finite-lived intangible assets subject to amortization:
Customer and contractual relationships	$	1,415,084	$	238,419	$	1,176,665	$	1,180,000	$	168,125	$	1,011,875
Patents and technology		158,770		36,888		121,882		134,970		25,980		108,990
Trademarks		62,554		18,854		43,700		35,153		6,652		28,501
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	$	1,636,408	$	294,161	$	1,342,247	$	1,350,123	$	200,757	$	1,149,366
Indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Trademarks	$	1,855,621	$	10,861	$	1,844,760	$	1,799,862	$	9,218	$	1,790,644
Total other intangible assets	$	3,492,029	$	305,022	$	3,187,007	$	3,149,985	$	209,975	$	2,940,010