Earnings Per Share (Table) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 05, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013	Jul. 05, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013
Earnings Per Share Abstract
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	$ 8,708,000	$ (14,979,000)	$ 15,348,000	$ (9,796,000)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0	(302,000)	0	(360,000)
Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.	$ 8,708,000	$ (15,281,000)	$ 15,348,000	$ (10,156,000)
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	66,715,349	66,202,211	66,666,617	66,147,358
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	68,458,134	67,513,517	68,058,412	67,346,428
Earnings (loss) per share - basic
from continuing operations basic	$ 0.13	$ (0.23)	$ 0.23	$ (0.15)
from discontinued operations basic	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (0.01)
Earnings Per Share Total	$ 0.13	$ (0.23)	$ 0.23	$ (0.15)
Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
from continuing operations diluted	$ 0.13	$ (0.23)	$ 0.23	$ (0.15)
from discontinued operations diluted	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (0.01)
Earnings Per Share Diluted Total	$ 0.13	$ (0.23)	$ 0.23	$ (0.15)
Options Held [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Including Options and Restrictive Stock Units	1,202,657	979,281	885,433	888,566
Warrant [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Including Options and Restrictive Stock Units	540,128	332,025	506,362	310,504