Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 452,732	$ 455,875	$ 1,276,514	$ 1,366,383
Net income	37,172	41,132	101,968	139,921
Interest expense	(5,868)	(7,409)	(18,546)	(29,382)
Assets	1,523,483		1,523,483		1,417,030
Rendering [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	368,154	376,329	1,061,947	1,140,574
Net income	70,624	77,268	208,263	259,622
Assets	1,107,219		1,107,219		1,092,988
Bakery [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	84,578	79,546	214,567	225,809
Net income	18,641	17,109	42,786	50,618
Assets	176,503		176,503		165,885
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income	(46,225)	(45,836)	(130,535)	(140,937)
Interest expense	(5,868)	(7,409)	(18,546)	(29,382)
Assets	$ 239,761		$ 239,761		$ 158,157