Nature of Operations	12 Months Ended
Dec. 29, 2012
Nature of Operations	Note 1 — Nature of Operations Dole Food Company, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of Hawaii in 1894 and was reincorporated under the laws of Delaware in July 2001. Dole Food Company, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Dole” or the “Company”) are engaged in the worldwide sourcing, processing, distributing and marketing of high quality, branded food products, including fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as packaged foods. In fiscal year 2012, Dole conducted operations throughout North America, Latin America, Europe (including eastern European countries), Asia (primarily in China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Thailand), the Middle East and Africa (primarily in South Africa). As a result of its global operating and financing activities, Dole is exposed to certain risks including changes in commodity pricing, fluctuations in interest rates, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, as well as other environmental and business risks in both sourcing and selling locations. Dole’s principal products are produced on both Company-owned and leased land and are also acquired through associated producer and independent grower arrangements. Dole’s products are primarily packed and processed by Dole and sold to wholesale, retail and institutional customers and other food product companies. In March 2003, Dole completed a going-private merger transaction. As a result of the transaction, Dole became wholly-owned by David H. Murdock, Dole’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In October 2009, Dole completed a $446 million initial public offering of its common stock and received proceeds of $415 million. At December 29, 2012, Mr. Murdock and his affiliates beneficially owned 35,542,968, or approximately 40% of Dole’s outstanding common shares.

Nature of Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Note 1 — Nature of Operations

Dole Food Company, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of Hawaii in 1894 and was reincorporated under the laws of Delaware in July 2001.

Dole Food Company, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Dole” or the “Company”) are engaged in the worldwide sourcing, processing, distributing and marketing of high quality, branded food products, including fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as packaged foods.

In fiscal year 2012, Dole conducted operations throughout North America, Latin America, Europe (including eastern European countries), Asia (primarily in China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Thailand), the Middle East and Africa (primarily in South Africa). As a result of its global operating and financing activities, Dole is exposed to certain risks including changes in commodity pricing, fluctuations in interest rates, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, as well as other environmental and business risks in both sourcing and selling locations.

Dole’s principal products are produced on both Company-owned and leased land and are also acquired through associated producer and independent grower arrangements. Dole’s products are primarily packed and processed by Dole and sold to wholesale, retail and institutional customers and other food product companies.

In March 2003, Dole completed a going-private merger transaction. As a result of the transaction, Dole became wholly-owned by David H. Murdock, Dole’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In October 2009, Dole completed a $446 million initial public offering of its common stock and received proceeds of $415 million. At December 29, 2012, Mr. Murdock and his affiliates beneficially owned 35,542,968, or approximately 40% of Dole’s outstanding common shares.