Segment Information (Detail) - Major segments of the business (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
Inter-segment revenue	$ 350,893	$ 237,328	$ 258,175
Interest expense (including interest related to capital leases)	24,944	24,894	23,403
Segment profit	58,284	79,759	91,611
Assets	960,380	1,071,617	1,047,803
Military [Member]
Revenue from external customers	2,309,455	2,352,918	2,299,014
Interest expense (including interest related to capital leases)	(6)	(1)	12
Depreciation expense	12,353	10,044	6,269
Segment profit	33,319	50,412	51,301
Assets	447,743	497,224	441,866
Expenditures for long-lived assets	10,075	53,501	48,356
Food Distribution [Member]
Revenue from external customers	1,844,929	2,032,570	2,217,649
Inter-segment revenue	350,893	237,328	258,175
Interest income	(35)	(39)	(37)
Interest expense (including interest related to capital leases)	(35)	(39)	(36)
Depreciation expense	15,777	17,920	19,674
Segment profit	10,355	23,745	33,650
Assets	325,256	460,498	490,467
Expenditures for long-lived assets	13,838	9,038	8,777
Retail [Member]
Revenue from external customers	666,413	469,971	518,263
Interest expense (including interest related to capital leases)	4,998	3,603	3,633
Depreciation expense	9,704	7,740	10,176
Segment profit	14,610	5,602	6,660
Assets	187,381	113,895	115,470
Expenditures for long-lived assets	15,586	6,061	2,162
Segment, Total [Member]
Revenue from external customers	4,820,797	4,855,459	5,034,926
Inter-segment revenue	350,893	237,328	258,175
Interest income	(35)	(39)	(37)
Interest expense (including interest related to capital leases)	4,957	3,563	3,609
Depreciation expense	37,834	35,704	36,119
Segment profit	58,284	79,759	91,611
Assets	960,380	1,071,617	1,047,803
Expenditures for long-lived assets	$ 39,499	$ 68,600	$ 59,295