CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,882	$ 114,966	$ 115,316
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization expense	45,790	35,628	30,834
Pension settlement charge	0	0	2,818
Loss on debt extinguishment	2,249	0	9,473
Other, net	6,424	3,316	6,120
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	13,762	(6,247)	(7,709)
(Increase) decrease in inventories	8,189	(4,721)	9,555
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	15,669	(2,134)	3,376
Increase (decrease) in accrued employment and benefit costs	(8,586)	(5,673)	(12,251)
Increase (decrease) in accrued insurance	(4,451)	(2,604)	3,127
Increase (decrease) in customer deposits and advances	18,352	(6,103)	(6,328)
(Increase) decrease in other current and noncurrent assets	(754)	2,470	1,479
Increase (decrease) in other current and noncurrent liabilities	12,447	3,888	(13)
Net cash provided by operating activities	110,973	132,786	155,797
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(17,476)	(22,284)	(19,131)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(223,731)	(3,195)	(14,500)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1,449	5,974	3,520
Net cash (used in) investing activities	(239,758)	(19,505)	(30,111)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	100,000	0	247,840
Repayments of long-term borrowings	(100,000)	0	(256,510)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	225,000	0	0
Repayments of short-term borrowings	(225,000)	0	0
Debt issuance costs	(25,199)	0	(5,018)
Net proceeds from issuance of Common Units	259,842	0	0
Partnership distributions	(121,094)	(120,636)	(118,263)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	113,549	(120,636)	(131,951)
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(15,236)	(7,355)	(6,265)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	149,553	156,908	163,173
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	134,317	149,553	156,908
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	38,294	24,584	28,362
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities for the Inergy Propane Acquisition (see Note 3):
Issuance of long-term debt	1,075,043	0	0
Issuance of equity	$ 590,027	$ 0	$ 0

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Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).