Segmented Information (Table) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 05, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013	Jul. 05, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	$ 338,288,000	$ 311,170,000	$ 671,815,000	$ 593,995,000
Segment operating income	19,385,000	15,187,000	33,751,000	27,274,000
Other income, net	137,000	647,000	(1,004,000)	1,012,000
Interest expense, net	(2,010,000)	(2,238,000)	(4,158,000)	(3,928,000)
Impairment loss on investment	0	(21,495,000)	0	(21,495,000)
Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Noncontrolling Interest	14,604,000	(11,080,000)	25,681,000	(2,459,000)
SunOpta Foods [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	303,045,000	273,708,000	602,027,000	520,308,000
Segment operating income	17,814,000	14,284,000	31,155,000	23,908,000
Opta Minerals Inc Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	35,243,000	37,462,000	69,788,000	73,687,000
Segment operating income	1,571,000	903,000	2,596,000	3,366,000
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment operating income	(2,634,000)	(1,887,000)	(4,916,000)	(3,298,000)
Global Sourcing and Supply [Member] | SunOpta Foods [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	157,466,000	144,900,000	300,824,000	269,809,000
Segment operating income	8,360,000	4,052,000	11,418,000	5,725,000
Value Added Ingredients [Member] | SunOpta Foods [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	33,562,000	33,043,000	71,310,000	64,548,000
Segment operating income	1,290,000	1,953,000	3,637,000	3,953,000
Consumer Products [Member] | SunOpta Foods [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	112,017,000	95,765,000	229,893,000	185,951,000
Segment operating income	$ 8,164,000	$ 8,279,000	$ 16,100,000	$ 14,230,000