Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,511	$ 1,251
Accounts receivable	168,852	157,369
Inventories	343,842	368,482
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	26,129	19,794
Current income taxes recoverable	2,801	2,801
Assets, Current, Total	545,135	549,697
Property, Plant and Equipment	162,199	162,239
Goodwill	223,695	223,611
Intangible Assets	180,739	183,524
Deferred income taxes	3,060	1,045
Other assets	9,100	9,442
Assets, Total	1,123,928	1,129,558
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness	195,100	201,494
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	187,292	173,745
Customer and other deposits	4,435	2,543
Income taxes payable	4,201	5,661
Other current liabilities	839	1,016
Current portion of long-term debt	2,034	2,079
Current portion of long-term liabilities	5,500	5,500
Liabilities, Current, Total	399,401	392,038
Long-term debt	228,769	229,008
Long-term liabilities	15,242	15,354
Deferred income taxes	41,017	44,561
Liabilities, Total	684,429	680,961
Preferred shares of a subsidiary company held for sale	79,424	79,184
Sunopta Inc Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	302,581	300,426
Additional paid in capital	25,151	25,522
Retained earnings	40,500	53,838
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(11,650)	(13,104)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total	356,582	366,682
Non-controlling interest	3,493	2,731
Total Equity	360,075	369,413
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$ 1,123,928	$ 1,129,558