Selected Balance Sheet Information

12 Months Ended

Sep. 24, 2011

Selected Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]

Selected Balance Sheet Information

4. Selected Balance Sheet Information

Inventories consist of the following:

	As of
	September 24,		September 25,
	2011		2010
Propane, fuel oil and refined fuels and natural gas	$	64,601	$	59,836
Appliances and related parts		1,306		1,211
	$	65,907	$	61,047

The Partnership enters into contracts to buy propane, fuel oil and natural gas for supply purposes.  Such contracts generally have a term of one year subject to annual renewal, with costs based on market prices at the date of delivery.

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

	As of
	September 24,		September 25,
	2011		2010
Land and improvements	$	27,904	$	28,250
Buildings and improvements		82,639		80,072
Transportation equipment		19,067		22,959
Storage facilities		79,525		78,176
Equipment, primarily tanks and cylinders		485,859		481,423
Computer systems		47,718		44,705
Construction in progress		2,704		5,290
		745,416		740,875
Less: accumulated depreciation		407,291		390,455
	$	338,125	$	350,420

Depreciation expense for the fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 amounted to $32,368, $28,411 and $28,123, respectively.  During fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010, the Partnership recorded a $2,883 and $1,800 adjustment, respectively, to accelerate depreciation expense on certain assets taken out of service.