Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Jun. 16, 2012	Mar. 24, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 18, 2011	Mar. 26, 2011	Oct. 06, 2012	Oct. 08, 2011	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (210,386)	$ 65,539	$ 17,144	$ 3,719	$ 83,033	$ 2,045	$ (13,864)	$ (47,004)	$ (141,567)	$ 41,793	$ (30,166)
Net foreign currency translation adjustment									4,028	(11,717)	3,844
Unrealized hedging gains (losses), net of income taxes									25,318	(45,619)	(14,416)
Reclassification of realized (gains) losses to net income, net of income taxes									12,003	32,751	9,390
Change in employee benefit plans, net of income taxes									(17,414)	(22,872)	(19,443)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(117,632)	(5,664)	(50,791)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(2,899)	(3,438)	(3,961)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Dole Food Company, Inc.									(120,531)	(9,102)	(54,752)
Dole Food Company, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									(144,463)	38,359	(34,124)
Net foreign currency translation adjustment									2,158	(1,579)
Change in employee benefit plans, net of income taxes									(13,363)	(12,608)	(13,746)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(155,668)	24,172	(47,870)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Dole Food Company, Inc.									(155,668)	24,172	(47,870)
Guarantor
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									(3,704)	135,241	55,518
Net foreign currency translation adjustment									10	(11)	(39)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(3,694)	135,230	55,479
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Dole Food Company, Inc.									(3,694)	135,230	55,479
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									(93,319)	57,705	(42,614)
Net foreign currency translation adjustment									2,158	(10,127)	3,883
Unrealized hedging gains (losses), net of income taxes									25,318	(45,619)	(14,416)
Reclassification of realized (gains) losses to net income, net of income taxes									12,003	32,751	9,390
Change in employee benefit plans, net of income taxes									(4,051)	(10,264)	(5,697)
Comprehensive income (loss)									(57,891)	24,446	(49,454)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests									(2,899)	(3,438)	(3,961)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Dole Food Company, Inc.									(60,790)	21,008	(53,415)
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)									99,919	(189,512)	(8,946)
Net foreign currency translation adjustment									(298)
Comprehensive income (loss)									99,621	(189,512)	(8,946)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Dole Food Company, Inc.									$ 99,621	$ (189,512)	$ (8,946)