SunOpta (STKL) 10-Q 9 Nov 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Nov. 04, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 1, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	SunOpta Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	351,834
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Trading Symbol	STKL
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		85,656,820

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Revenues	$ 348,732	$ 277,213	$ 1,049,192	$ 828,756
Cost of goods sold	307,702	250,904	940,283	743,624
Gross profit	41,030	26,309	108,909	85,132
Selling, general and administrative expenses	23,915	21,020	72,676	61,031
Intangible asset amortization	2,826	786	8,472	2,105
Other income, net	10,312	3,652	22,723	4,393
Foreign exchange (gain) loss	1,068	404	3,060	(1,046)
Earnings from continuing operations before the following	2,909	447	1,978	18,649
Interest expense, net	12,178	1,103	34,748	3,171
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(9,269)	(656)	(32,770)	15,478
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(5,411)	(568)	(15,632)	4,838
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(3,858)	(88)	(17,138)	10,640
Income Loss From Discontinued Operations Net Of Tax Abstract
Loss from discontinued operations	0	699	(1,993)	(3,551)
Gain on classification as held for sale	0	0	560	0
Recovery of income taxes during phase out	0	(75)	599	(964)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to non-controlling interests	0	(116)	264	1,556
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	508	(570)	(2,959)
Earnings (loss)	(3,858)	420	(17,708)	7,681
Earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	(503)	106	4	84
Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.	$ (3,355)	$ 314	$ (17,712)	$ 7,597
Earnings (loss) per share - basic
from continuing operations	$ (0.04)	$ 0	$ (0.2)	$ 0.15
from discontinued operations	0	0.01	(0.01)	(0.04)
Earnings (loss) Per Share Total	(0.04)	0	(0.21)	0.11
Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
from continuing operations	(0.04)	0	(0.2)	0.15
from discontinued operations	0	0.01	(0.01)	(0.04)
Earnings (loss) Per Share Diluted Total	$ (0.04)	$ 0	$ (0.21)	$ 0.11

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$ (3,858)	$ (88)	$ (17,138)	$ 10,640
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	508	(570)	(2,959)
Earnings (loss)	(3,858)	420	(17,708)	7,681
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Derivatives Qualifying As Hedges Net Of Tax	0	0	0	(129)
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in earnings	0	0	0	339
Change in fair value of interest rate swap, net of income taxes	0	0	0	210
Currency translation adjustment	689	823	282	(3,009)
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of income taxes	689	823	282	(2,799)
Comprehensive earnings (loss)	(3,169)	1,243	(17,426)	4,882
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests	(482)	51	(486)	(2,072)
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc	$ (2,687)	$ 1,192	$ (16,940)	$ 6,954

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,639	$ 2,274	$ 7,768
Accounts receivable	173,880	117,412
Inventories	393,689	371,223
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	23,455	20,088
Current income taxes recoverable	9,390	21,728
Current assets held for sale	0	64,330
Assets, Current, Total	602,053	597,055
Property, Plant and Equipment	161,252	176,513
Goodwill	241,585	241,690
Intangible Assets	186,603	195,008
Deferred income taxes	958	958
Other assets	11,797	7,979
Assets, Total	1,204,248	1,219,203
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness	226,651	159,773
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	170,343	151,831
Customer and other deposits	1,029	5,322
Income taxes payable	4,189	1,720
Other current liabilities	1,208	1,521
Current portion of long-term debt	2,159	1,773
Current portion of long-term liabilities	5,365	5,243
Current liabilities held for sale	0	52,486
Liabilities, Current, Total	410,944	379,669
Long-term debt	317,484	321,222
Long-term liabilities	15,828	17,809
Deferred income taxes	54,564	74,324
Liabilities, Total	798,820	793,024
Sunopta Inc Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Value, Outstanding	299,470	297,987
Additional paid in capital	24,931	22,327
Retained earnings	89,126	106,838
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(10,699)	(6,113)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total	402,828	421,039
Non-controlling interest	2,600	5,140
Total Equity	405,428	426,179	353,328
Liabilities and Equity, Total	1,204,248	$ 1,219,203
Commitments and contingencies

Consolidated Balance Sheet (par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (parentheticals) - $ / shares	Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Common Stock Shares Issued	85,653,788	85,417,849
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	85,653,788	85,417,849
Common Stock, No Par Value	$ 0	$ 0

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Jan. 03, 2015	$ 353,328	$ 190,668	$ 22,490	$ 129,309	$ (1,778)	$ 12,639
Balance, shares at Jan. 03, 2015		67,074
Stock Issued During Period Value New Issues	96,544	$ 96,544	0	0	0	0
Stock Issued During Period Shares New Issues		16,670
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Value	451	$ 451	0	0	0	0
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Shares		36
Exercise of options	3,027	$ 4,624	(1,597)	0	0	0
Exercise of options, shares		704
Exercise of Warrants, Value	3,879	$ 6,042	(2,163)	0	0	0
Exercise of Warrants, Shares		850
Stock based compensation	4,140	$ 0	4,140	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	10,640	0	0	10,556	0	84
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(4,515)	0	0	(2,959)	0	(1,556)
Currency translation adjustment	(3,009)	0	0	0	(2,338)	(671)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap, net of income taxes	210	0	0	0	139	71
Minority Interest Decrease From Redemptions	(733)	0	(1,018)	0	0	285
Balance at Oct. 03, 2015	463,962	$ 298,329	21,852	136,906	(3,977)	10,852
Balance, shares at Oct. 03, 2015		85,334
Balance at Jan. 03, 2015	353,328	$ 190,668	22,490	129,309	(1,778)	12,639
Balance, shares at Jan. 03, 2015		67,074
Balance at Jan. 02, 2016	426,179	$ 297,987	22,327	106,838	(6,113)	5,140
Balance, shares at Jan. 02, 2016		85,418
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Value	326	$ 326	0	0	0	0
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Shares		67
Exercise of options	588	$ 1,157	(569)	0	0	0
Exercise of options, shares		169
Stock based compensation	3,173	$ 0	3,173	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(17,138)	0	0	(17,142)	0	4
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(834)	0	0	(570)	0	(264)
Currency translation adjustment	282	0	0	0	508	(226)
Change in Equity Associated with Disposal of Discontinued Operation	(7,148)	0	0	0	(5,094)	(2,054)
Balance at Oct. 01, 2016	$ 405,428	$ 299,470	$ 24,931	$ 89,126	$ (10,699)	$ 2,600
Balance, shares at Oct. 01, 2016		85,654

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jan. 02, 2016
Operating Activities
Earnings (loss)	$ (3,858)	$ 420	$ (17,708)	$ 7,681
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	508	(570)	(2,959)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(3,858)	(88)	(17,138)	10,640
Items not affecting cash
Depreciation and amortization	8,646	4,414	25,955	12,739
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs	3,988	124	10,210	327
Acquisition accounting adjustment on inventory sold	1,890	0	13,404	0
Deferred income taxes	(5,252)	835	(19,760)	697
Stock-based compensation	1,181	1,804	3,173	3,832
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Instrument	(749)	(1,088)	(1,264)	(534)
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration	124	235	(1,281)	317
Impairment of long-lived assets	10,300	0	12,035	0
Other	(64)	(581)	343	1,237
Changes in non-cash working capital, net of business acquired	836	12,648	(60,943)	(28,965)
Net cash flows from operations - continuing operations	17,042	18,303	(35,266)	290
Net cash flows from operations - discontinued operations	0	4,241	758	5,490
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total	17,042	22,544	(34,508)	5,780
Investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(6,475)	0	(19,775)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(5,463)	(6,866)	(14,803)	(21,841)
Payment of contingent consideration	0	0	(4,554)	0
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	348	0	1,292
Other	0	147	700	(778)
Net cash flows from investing activities - continuing operations	(5,463)	(12,846)	(18,657)	(41,102)
Net cash flows from investing activities - discontinued operations	0	(785)	1,754	(1,224)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(5,463)	(13,631)	(16,903)	(42,326)
Financing activities
Increase (decrease) under line of credit facilities	(13,097)	(3,206)	258,475	31,291
Borrowings under long term debt	0	0	432	0
Repayment of line of credit facilities	0	0	(192,677)	0
Repayment of long-term debt	(520)	(311)	(11,529)	(722)
Financing costs	(1,179)	(2,157)	(5,545)	(2,188)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	0	95,344	0	95,344
Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised	227	439	914	3,478
Proceeds From Warrant Exercises	0	0	0	3,879
Other	8	(179)	(126)	(459)
Net cash flows from financing activities - continuing operations	(14,561)	89,930	49,944	130,623
Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Discontinued Operations	0	(4,199)	(1,180)	(5,012)
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities	(14,561)	85,731	48,764	125,611
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash held in a foreign currency	329	(41)	305	(14)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period	(2,653)	94,603	(2,342)	89,051
Discontinued operations cash activity included above:
Add: Balance included at beginning of period	0	2,232	1,707	2,170	$ 2,170
Less: Balance included at end of period	0	(1,626)	0	(1,626)	1,707
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of the period	4,292	2,154	2,274	7,768	7,768
Cash and cash equivalents - end of the period	1,639	97,363	1,639	97,363	$ 2,274
Noncash Investing And Financing Items [Abstract]
Business Combination Working Capital Adjustment	0	(55)	0	264
Acquisition of business, settlement of pre-existing relationship	0	0	0	(749)
Acquistion of business, contingent consideration at fair value	0	(2,330)	0	(20,330)
Proceeds of divestiture of business, note receivable	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,537	$ 0

Description of Business and Sig

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Basis Of Presentation Fiscal Year End And New Accounting Pronouncements Disclosure [Abstract]
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	1 . Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies SunOpta Inc. (the “Company” or “SunOpta”) was incorporated under the laws of Canada on November 13, 1973. The Company operates businesses focused on a healthy products portfolio that promotes sustainable well-being. The Company’s two reportable segments, Global Ingredients and Consumer Products, operate in the natural, organic and specialty food sectors and utilize an integrated business model to bring cost-effective and quality produ cts to market. In addition, the Company owned approximately 66% of Opta Minerals Inc. ( “ Opta Minerals ” ) as at January 2, 2016, on a non-dilutive basis. Opta Minerals produces, distributes and recycles industrial minerals, silica-free abrasives and spec ialty sands. On February 12, 2016, the Company announced that Opta Minerals had entered into a definitive acquisition agreement, pursuant to which an affiliate of Speyside Equity Fund I LP (“Speyside”), agreed to acquire substantially all of the issued an d outstanding shares of Opta Minerals. The acquisition of Opta Minerals by Speyside was completed on April 6, 2016 , following a vote of the shareholders of Opta Minerals in favor of the transaction on March 31, 2016 . For further information regarding th e Company’s divestiture of its equity interest in Opta Minerals, see note 3 . Basis of P resentation The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Reg ulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, these condensed interim consolidated financia l statements do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation have been included and all such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Operating results for the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2016 or for any other period. The interim consolidated financial statemen ts include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 2, 2016 . For further information, refer to the consolidated financial st atements, and notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016 . Comparative Balances As a result of the Company’s divestiture of Opta Minerals, t he operating results and cash flows of Opta Mine rals for the quarter and three quarters ended October 3, 2015 have been reclassified to discontinued operations to be consistent with presentation for the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2016 . In addition, the assets and liabilities of Opta Minerals were reported as held for sale on the con solidated balance sheet as at January 2, 2016. Fiscal Year-End The fiscal year of the Company consists of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2016 is a 52-week period ending on December 31, 2016, with quarterly periods ending on April 2, July 2 and October 1, 2016. Fiscal year 2015 was a 52-week period ending on Janu ary 2, 2016, with quarterly periods ending on April 4, July 4 and October 3, 2015. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016- 15 , which clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flow, including contingent consideration payments made after a business combination . The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 , including interim periods within those fiscal years , and is to be applied on a retrospective basis . Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated statement of cash flows . In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stoc k Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which is intended to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, the classification of awards as either equity or lia bilities, and the classification on the statement of cash flows. Under the new guidance, companies will record excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement rather than in additional paid-in capital. In addition, the guidance permits companies to elect to recognize forfeitures of share-based payments as they occur, rather than estimating the number of awards expected to be forfeited as is currently required. This guidance is effective for annual and inte rim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”, a comprehensive new standard that amends various aspects of existing accounting guidance for leases, including the recognition of a right of use asset and a lease liability for leases with a duration of greater than one year. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidat ed financial statements; however, the Company anticipates that upon adoption of the standard it will recognize additional assets and corresponding liabilities related to leases on its balance sheet. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. ASU 2016-01 will require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in con solidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The guidance provides a new measurement alternative for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify fo r the net asset practical expedient. Under this alternative, these investments can be measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment wi th the same issuer. Additionally, ASU 2016-01 also changes certain disclosure requirements and other aspects of current U.S. GAAP. ASU 2016-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. The Company is cu rrently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which will supersede existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GA AP. Under the new standard, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In Aug ust 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which defers by one year the effective date of ASU 2014-09. I n 2016 , the FASB issued additional ASUs to address implementation issues and to clarify the guidance for identifying performance obligations, licenses and determining if a company is the principal or agent in a revenue arrangement. ASU 2014-09, as amended, will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and is to be applied on either a full retrospective or modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual and interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2014-09, as amended, will have on its consolidated financial statements

Business Acquisition

Business Acquisition	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	2 . Business Acquisitions Sunrise Holdings (Delaware), Inc. On October 9, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Sunrise Holdings (Delaware), Inc. (“Sunrise”), pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement dated July 30, 2015 (the “Sunrise Acquisition”). Sunrise is a processor of conventional and organic individually quick frozen (“IQF”) fruit in the U.S. and Mexico. The acquisition of Sunrise has been accounted for as a business combination under the acquisitio n method of accounting. The results of Sunrise have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are reported in the Consumer Products operating segment. The acquisition of Sunrise is aligned with the Company’s strategic focus on healthy and organic foods. Total consideration for the Sunrise Acquisition was $4 72.7 million in cash paid at the acquisition date, which included the repayment of all outstanding obligations under Sunrise’s senior credit faci lity in the amount of $171.5 million. In addition, the total consideration included $23.0 million paid by the Company to the holders of Sunrise stock options . As all outstanding Sunrise stock options vested upon the consummation of the Sunrise Acquisitio n, pursuant to the terms of Sunrise’s pre-existing stock option agreements, the cash consideration paid to the optionholders was attributed to services prior to the Sunrise Acquisition and included as a component of the purchase price. The total considera tion also included $20.9 million paid by the Company to settle acquisition-related transaction costs incurred by Sunrise in connection with the Sunrise Acquisition. As none of these costs were incurred by Sunrise on behalf of the Company, the cash conside ration paid to settle these costs was included as a component of the purchase price. The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as at the acquisition date . $ Cash and cash equivalents 1,728 Accounts receivable (1) 26,090 Inventories (2) 124,829 Income taxes recoverable 12,025 Other current assets 3,982 Property, plant and equipment (3) 46,068 Intangible assets (4) 170,000 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (24,169) Long-term debt, including current portion (7,620) Deferred income taxes, net (75,193) Net identifiable assets acquired 277,740 Goodwill (5) 196,709 Non-controlling interest (6) (1,781) Net assets acquired 472,668 (1) The gross amount of accounts receivable acquired was $26.2 million, of which the Company expects $0.2 million will be uncollectible. (2) Includes an estimated fair value adjustment to inventory of $19.0 million, of which $13.4 million and $4.0 million was recognized in costs of goods sold for inventory sold in the first three quarters of 2016 and fourth quarter of 2015, respectively. (3) Includes an estimated fair value adjustment to property, plant and equipment of $3.7 million. (4) The identif ied intangible assets relate to customer relationships in existence at the acquisition date between Sunrise and major U.S. retail and foodservice customers. The customer relationships intangible assets will be amortized over an estimated weighted-average useful life of approximately 23 years. The estimated fair value of the intangible assets was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis (income approach), which applied a risk-adjusted discount rate of approximately 12.0%. (5) Goodwill is calculat ed as the difference between the acquisition-date fair values of the total consideration and the net assets acquired. The total amount of goodwill has been assigned to the Consumer Products operating segment and is not expected to be deductible for tax pu rposes. The goodwill recognized is attributable to: (i) cost savings, operating synergies, and other benefits expected to result from combining the operations of Sunrise with those of the Company ; (ii) the value of longer-term growth prospects in the priv ate label frozen fruit market; (iii) the value of acquiring the current capabilities and low-cost position of the existing Sunrise business (i.e., the higher rate of return on the assembled net assets versus acquiring all of the net assets separately); and (iv) the v alue of Sunrise’s assembled workforce. (6) Represents the estimated fair value of the non-controlling interest in Sunrise’s 75%-owned Mexican subsidiary. Niagara Natural Fruit Snack Company Inc. On August 11, 2015, the Company acquired the net operating assets of Niagara Natural Fruit Snack Company Inc. (“Niagara Natural”). Niagara Natural is a manufacturer of all-natural fruit snacks located in the Niagara Region of Ontario. The acquisition of the net operating assets of Niagara Natural has been accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting. The results of Niagara Natural have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are reported in the Consumer Products operating segment. The following table summarizes the fair values of the consideration transferred as at the acquisition date: Provisional Amounts Recognized as at the Acquisition Date Measurement Period Adjustment (1) Final Amounts Recognized as at the Acquisition Date $ $ $ Cash 6,475 - 6,475 Working capital adjustment 237 (292) (55) Contingent consideration (2) 2,330 - 2,330 Total consideration transferred 9,042 (292) 8,750 (1) Th e measurement period adjustment reflect s the final determination of net working capital as at the acquisition date. Th is adjustment did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations. (2) The Company agreed to pay the owners of Niagara Natural an additional amount of up to approximately $2.8 million over a period of two years subject to adjustment based on certain performance targets. The fair value of the contingent consideration was determined to be $2.3 mill ion as of the acquisition date. On May 5, 2016, the Company and the owners of Niagara Natural entered into an agreement to settle the contingent consideration obligation in exchange for a one-time cash payment of $0.6 million. In the second quarter of 20 16, the Company recognize d a gain of $1.7 million in connection with this settlement, based on the difference between the fair value of the contingent consideration obligation and the cash payment (see note 9 ) . The following table summarizes the fai r values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as at the acquisition date : Provisional Amounts Recognized as at the Acquisition Date Measurement Period Adjustment (1) Final Amounts Recognized as at the Acquisition Date $ $ $ Current assets 2,220 (292) 1,928 Machinery and equipment 3,414 - 3,414 Intangible assets (2) 2,459 - 2,459 Current liabilities (687) - (687) Net identifiable assets acquired 7,406 (292) 7,114 Goodwill (3) 1,636 - 1,636 Net assets acquired 9,042 (292) 8,750 (1) Th e measurement period adjustment reflect s the final determination of net working capital as at the acquisition date. (2) Intangible assets comprise customer relationshi ps and non-competition arrangements, which will be amortized over an estimated weighted-average useful life of approximately 19 years. (3) The total amount of goodwill has been assigned to the Consumer Products operating segment. Citrusource , LLC On March 2, 2015, the Company acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding units of Citrusource , LLC (“ Citrusource ”), a producer of premium not-from-concentrate private label organic and conventional orange juice and citrus products in the U.S. The acquisition of Citrusource has been accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting. The results of Citrusource have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are reported in the Consumer Products operating segment. The acquisition of Citrusource aligns with the Company’s strategy of gr owing its value-added consumer products portfolio and leveraging its integrated operating platform. The following table summarizes the fair values of the consideration transferred as at the acquisition date: $ Cash 13,300 Working capital adjustment (319) Settlement of pre-existing relationship 749 Contingent consideration (1) 18,000 Total consideration transferred 31,730 (1) The contingent consideration arrangement with the former unitholders of Citrusource comprises two components: (i) deferred consideration calculated based on a seven-times multiple of the incremental growth in Citrusource’s earnings before interest, ta xes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) in fiscal year 2015 versus EBITDA for fiscal year 2014; and (ii) an earn-out calculated based on 25% of the incremental growth in the sum of Citrusource’s EBITDA and the EBITDA of the Company’s San Bernardino, California, juice facility (the “Combined EBITDA”) in each of fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018 versus the Combined EBITDA for fiscal year 2015. There are no upper limits to the amount of each of the components. The fair value measurement of the contingen t consideration arrangement was determined to be approximately $ 18.0 million as at the acquisition date, based on a probability-weighted present value analysis, of which approximately $ 15.0 million was related to the deferred consideration and approximatel y $3 .0 million is related to the earn-out. The deferred consideration is payable in four equal annual installments commencing in 2016. In the second quarter of 2016, the Company paid the first installment in the amount of $3.9 million. Of the remaining deferred consideration obligation, approximately $4.0 million is included in current portion of long-term liabilities and approximately $7.0 million is included in long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets as at October 1, 2016 . The earn-out obligation is also included in long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as at October 1, 2016 . The fair value of the contingent consideration arrangement is based on significant level 3 unobservable inputs, including the following factors: (i) estimated range of EBITDA values in each of the earn-out periods; and (ii) the probability-weighting applied to each of the EBITDA values within the estimated range for each earn-out period. The resultant probability-weighted EBITDA values for each ea rn-out period were discounted at a credit risk-adjusted discount rate of approximately 3.5%. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company and former unitholders of Citrusource will assess the impact of the planned closure of the San Bernardino juice f acility (see note 9 ) on the earn-out component of the contingent consideration arrangement. The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as at the acquisition date . $ Accounts receivable 2,351 Inventories 1,745 Machinery and equipment 164 Customer relationships intangible asset (1) 14,000 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1,666) Net identifiable assets acquired 16,594 Goodwill (2) 15,136 Net assets acquired 31,730 (1) The customer relationships intangible asset was recognized based on contracts in existence at the acquisition date between Citrusource and major U.S. retail customers. This intangible asset will be amortized over an estimated useful life of approximately 12 years. (2) Goodwill is calculated as the difference between the acquisition-date fair values of the consideration transferred and net assets acquired. The total amount of goodwill has been assigned to the Consumer Products operating se gment and is expected to be fully deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill recognized is attributable to: (i) operating synergies expected to result from combining the operations of Citrusource with those of the Company ; and (ii) opportunities to leverage the business experience of Citrusource’s management team to grow the Company’s existing citrus beverage program.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations Disclosure [Text Block]	3 . Discontinued Operations Opta Minerals Inc. On February 11, 2016, Opta Minerals entered into a definitive acquisition agreement, pursuant to which Speyside agreed to acquire substantially all of the issued and outstanding shares of Opta Minerals. The acquisition agreement was approved by Opta Minerals’ Boards of Directors, which recommended that Opta Minerals’ shareholders approve the transaction. Also on February 12, 2016, the Company entered into a support agreement pursuant to which i t irrevocably agreed to vote all of its Opta Minerals’ shares in favor of the transaction. The acquisition of Opta Minerals by Speyside was completed on April 6, 2016, following a vote of the shareholders of Opta Minerals in favor of the transaction on Ma rch 31, 2016. Upon closing of the transaction, the Company received aggregate gross proceeds of $4.8 million (C$6.2 million), of which $3.2 million (C$4.2 million) was received in cash, and $1.5 million (C$2.0 million) was received in the form of a sub ordinated promissory note bearing interest at 2.0% per annum that will mature on October 6, 2018. In the first quarter of 2016, the Company recognized direct costs related to the sale of Opta Minerals of $0.8 million. The sale of Company’s equity interest in Opta Minerals was consistent with its objective of divesting its non-core assets in order to become a pure-play healthy and organic foods company. The Company does not expect to have any significant continuing involvement with Opta Minerals. In the f ourth quarter of 2015, the Company recognized a loss on the classification of Opta Minerals as a discontinued operation held for sale of $10.5 million, or $7.7 million net of non-controlling interest, to write down the carrying value of Opta Minerals’ net assets to fair value less cost to sell based on estimated net proceeds on sale of approximately $4.5 million as at January 2, 2016. In the first quarter of 2016, the Company recognized a $ 0.6 million gain on classificat ion as held for sale , which reflecte d a $1.1 million decline in the carrying value of Opta Mineral’s net assets, partially offset by a $0.5 million reduction in the estimated net proceeds on sale. The Company has not recognized the results of operations or cash flows of Opta Minerals for th e period from April 1, 2016 to the closing of the transacti on on April 6, 2016, as these amounts were insignificant to the Company’s consolidated results of operations and cash flows . As at January 2, 2016, the net assets and liabilities of Opta Minerals were reported as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet. The following table reconciles the major classes of assets and liabilities of Opta Minerals to the amounts reported as held for sale: January 2, 2016 $ Cash and cash equivalents 1,707 Accounts receivable 14,676 Inventories 25,869 Property, plant and equipment 16,019 Intangible assets 13,194 Other assets 3,380 Loss recognized on classification as held for sale (10,515) Total assets held for sale 64,330 Bank indebtedness 12,107 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 9,634 Long-term debt 25,858 Other liabilities 4,887 Total liabilities held for sale 52,486 The following table reconciles the major components of the results of discontinued operations to the amounts reported in the consolidated statements of operations : Quarter ended Three quarters ended October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 October 1, 2016 (1) October 3, 2015 $ $ $ $ Revenues - 28,794 24,896 87,925 Cost of goods sold (2) - (24,471) (22,133) (75,823) Selling, general and administrative expenses - (2,736) (3,024) (8,851) Intangible asset amortization - (498) - (1,505) Other expense, net (3) - (591) (794) (2,201) Foreign exchange gain (loss) - 1,017 (454) 568 Interest expense - (816) (484) (3,664) Earnings (loss) before income taxes - 699 (1,993) (3,551) Gain on classification as held for sale before income taxes - - 560 - Total pre-tax earnings (loss) from discontinued operations - 699 (1,433) (3,551) Recovery of (provision for) income taxes - (75) 599 (964) Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations - 624 (834) (4,515) Loss (earnings) from discontinued operations attributable to non-controlling interest - (116) 264 1,556 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to SunOpta Inc. - 508 (570) (2,959) ( 1) For the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , no depreciation or amortization was recorded on Opta Minerals’ long-lived assets as these assets were classified as held for sale. (2) For the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , cost of goods sold includes a charge related to the write-down of inventory recorded by Opta Minerals of $0.8 million. ( 3 ) For the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , other expense, net includes a charge related to the impairment of long-lived assets recorded by Opta Minerals of $ 0.4 million.

Product Recall

Product Recall	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Other Operating Income And Expense [Text Block]	4 . Product Recall During the second quarter of 2016, the Company announced a voluntary recall of certain roasted sunflower kernel products produced at its Crookston, Minnesota facility due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The affected sunflower products originated from the Crookston facility between May 31, 2015 and April 21, 2016. For the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2016, the Company recognized estimated losses of $12.0 million and $28.0 million, respectively, related to this recall, reflecting the estimated cost of the affected sunflower kernel products expected to be returned to or replaced by the Company and the estimated cost to reimburse customers for costs incurred by them related to the recall of their retail pro ducts that contain the affected sunflower kernels as an ingredient or component. However, these losses do not reflect costs associated with the interruption of production at the Crookston facility for the period from April 21, 2016 to the time regular pro duction resumed on or about May 15, 2016, subject to a positive release protocol, or the costs to put into place corrective and preventive actions at the Company’s roasting facilities. The Company’s remediation efforts are ongoing, and it expects to conti nue to incur related costs, which may be material. The Company’s estimates of the losses related to the recall are provisional and were determined based on an assessment of the information available up to the date of filing of this report, including a rev iew of customer claims received as of that date and consideration of the extent of potential additional claims that have yet to be received. The Company’s estimates reflect the amount of losses that it determined, as of the date of this report, to be both probable and reasonably estimable. The Company may need to revise its estimates in subsequent periods as the Company continues to work with its customers and insurance providers to substantiate the claims received to date and any additional claims that m ay be received. These revisions may occur at any time and may be material. T he Company is currently unable to estimate the impact that this recall may have on our future sales of sunflower products or on its ongoing relationships with its customers, whic h may have an adverse impact on the recoverability of the customer relationship s intangible asset associated with the Company’s sunflower operations and on the fair value of the reporting unit to which the sunflower operations relate that could result in a n impairment of the associated goodwill. As at October 1, 2016, the customer relationship s intangible asset and goodwill associated with the sunflower operations had carrying values of $6.6 million and $17.5 million, respectively. The Company carries gen eral liability and product recall insurance and is expecting to recover the recall-related costs through its insurance policies, less applicable deductibles under these policies. The Company recognizes expected insurance recoveries in the period in which the recoveries are determined to be probable of realization. Accordingly, for the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2016, the Company recorded estimated insurance recoveries of $12.0 million and $27.4 million for the losses recognized to - date rel ated to the recall. However, the Company may not recover amounts equal to the amount of the losses recognized if those losses exceed the coverage available or are excluded under its insurance policies. Subsequent to the third quarter of 2016, the Company received $2.0 million from an insurance provider in relation to the recall . As at October 1, 2016 , $27.8 million of the estimated recall-related costs were unsettled and were recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. These costs were offset by the corresponding estimated insurance recoveries of $27.4 million included in accounts receivable on the consolidated balance sheet as at October 1, 2016 .

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives and Fair Value [Text Block]	5 . Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements The following table presents for each of the fair value hierarchies, the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 1, 2016 and January 2, 2016 : October 1, 2016 Fair value asset (liability) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 $ $ $ $ (a) Commodity futures and forward contracts (1) Unrealized short-term derivative asset 1,747 799 948 - Unrealized short-term derivative liability (1,197) - (1,197) - Unrealized long-term derivative liability (12) - (12) - (b) Inventories carried at market (2) 6,647 - 6,647 - (c) Forward foreign currency contracts (3) (188) - (188) - (d) Contingent consideration (4) (15,175) - - (15,175) (e) Embedded derivative (5) 2,944 - - 2,944 (f) Long-lived assets (6) 600 - 600 - January 2, 2016 Fair value asset (liability) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 $ $ $ $ (a) Commodity futures and forward contracts (1) Unrealized short-term derivative asset 748 - 748 - Unrealized long-term derivative asset 21 - 21 - Unrealized short-term derivative liability (1,417) (10) (1,407) - Unrealized long-term derivative liability (36) - (36) - (b) Inventories carried at market (2) 5,945 - 5,945 - (c) Forward foreign currency contracts (3) 311 - 311 - (d) Contingent consideration (4) (21,010) - - (21,010) (e) Embedded derivative (5) 3,409 - - 3,409 (1) Unrealized short-term derivative asset is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, unrealized long-term derivative asset is included in other assets, unrealized short-term derivative liability is included in other current liabilities and unrealized long-term derivative liability is included in long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. (2) Inventories carried at market are included in inventories on the consolidated balance sheets. ( 3 ) The forward fo reign currency contracts are included in accounts receivable or accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. ( 4 ) Contingent consideration obligations are included in long-term liabilities (including the current portion there of) on the consolidated balance sheets. ( 5 ) The embedded derivative is included in other assets (long-term) on the consolidated balance sheets. (6) Long-lived assets are included in property, plant and equipment on the consolidated balance sheets. (a) Commodity futures and forward contracts The Company’s derivative contracts that are measured at fair value include exchange-traded commodity futures and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. Exchange-traded futures are valued based on unadjusted quotes for identical assets priced in active markets and are classified as level 1. Fair value for forward commodity purchase and sale contracts is estimated based on exchange-quoted prices adjusted for differences in local markets. Local mark et adjustments use observable inputs or market transactions for similar assets or liabilities, and, as a result, are classified as level 2. Based on historical experience with the Company’s suppliers and customers, the Company’s own credit risk, and the C ompany’s knowledge of current market conditions, the Company does not view non-performance risk to be a significant input to fair value for the majority of its forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. These exchange-traded commodity futures and fo rward commodity purchase and sale contracts are used as part of the Company’s risk management strategy, and represent economic hedges to limit risk related to fluctuations in the price of certain commodity grains, as well as the prices of cocoa and coffee. These derivative instruments are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Gains and losses on changes in fair value of these derivative instruments are included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statement of operations. For the quarter ended October 1, 2016 , the Company recognized a gain of $0. 7 million ( October 3, 2015 – gain of $1.1 million) and for the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , the Company recognized a gain of $ 1.2 million ( October 3, 2015 – gain of $0.5 million) related to changes in the fair value of these derivatives. As at October 1, 2016 , the notional amounts of open commodity futures and forward purchase and sale contracts were as follows (in thousands of bushels): Number of bushels purchased (sold) Corn Soybeans Forward commodity purchase contracts 414 596 Forward commodity sale contracts (75) (599) Commodity futures contracts (670) (440) In addition, as at October 1, 2016 , the Company had net open forward contracts to sell 309 lots of cocoa and 23 lots of coffee. (b) Inventories carried at market Grains inventory carried at fair value is determined using quoted market prices from the Chicago Board of Trade (“ CBoT ”). Estimated fair market values for grains inventory quantities at period end are valued using the quoted price on the CBoT adjusted for differences in local markets, and broker or dealer quotes. These assets are placed in le vel 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as there are observable quoted prices for similar assets in active markets. Gains and losses on commodity grains inventory are included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of operations. As at October 1, 2016 , the Company had 340,399 bushels of commodity corn and 386,737 bushels of commodity soybeans in inventories carried at market. (c) Foreign forward currency contracts As part of its risk management strategy, the Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in fo reign currency exchange rates. For any open forward foreign exchange contracts at period end, the contract rate is compared to the forward rate, and a gain or loss is recorded. These contracts are placed in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as the inputs used in making the fair value determination are derived from and ar e corroborated by observable market data. While these forward foreign exchange contracts typically represent economic hedges that are not designated as hedging instruments, certain of these contract s may be designated as hedges. As at October 1, 2016 the C ompany had open forward foreign exchange contracts with a notional value of € 29.4 million ($ 33.0 million). Gains and losses on changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are included in foreign exchange l oss or gain on the consolidated statement of operations. For the quarter ended October 1, 2016 , the Company recognized a loss of $ 0.3 million ( October 3, 2015 – loss of $0.5 million) and for the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , the Company recognized a loss of $0.5 million ( October 3, 2015 – loss of $1.1 million) related to changes in the fair value of these derivatives. ( d ) Contingent consideration The fair value measurement of contingent consideration arising from business acquisitions is determined using unobservable (level 3) inputs. These inputs include : (i) the estimated amount and timing of the projected cash flows on which the contingency is based; and (ii) the risk-adjusted discount rate used to p resent value those cash flows. The following table presents a reconciliation of contingent consideration obligations for the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 : January 2, 2016 Fair Value October 1, 2016 Issuances Adjustments (1) Payments (2) $ $ $ $ $ Contingent consideration (21,010) - 1,281 4,554 (15,175) Reflects the gain on settlement of the contingent consideration obligation related to the acquisition of Niagara Natural (see note 2 ) and an adjustment to the contractual amount owing to a former shareholder of Organic Land Corporation OOD, which was acquired by the Company on December 31, 2012, as well as the accretion for the time value of money related to the Citrusource and Niagara Natural obligations. Fair value adjustments are included in other income/expense (see note 9 ). Reflects the pa yment of deferred consideration to the former unitholders of Citrusource and cash settlement of the contingent consideration obligation related to the acquisition of Niagara Natural (see note 2 ). (e) Embedded derivative On August 5, 2011 and August 29, 2014, the Company invested $0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in convertible subordinated notes issued by Enchi Corporation (“Enchi”), a developer of advanced bioconversion products for the renewable fuels industry, of which $0.2 million principal amount remained outstanding as at January 2, 2016. The Company’s investment in subordinated convertible notes of Enchi includes the value of an accelerated payment option embedded in the notes , which may result in a maximum payout to the Company of $ 5.1 million . Due to a lack of level 1 or level 2 observable market quotes for the notes, the Company used a discounted cash flow analysis (in come approach) to estimate the original fair value of th e embedded derivative based on unobservable level 3 inputs. The Company assesses changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative based on the performance of actual cash flows derived from certain royalty rights owned by Enchi, which are expected to b e the primary source of funds available to settle the embedded derivative, relative to the financial forecasts used in the valuation analysis. On April 15, 2016, the Company received a distribution from Enchi of $0.7 million, which has been applied to rep ay the remaining $0.2 million principal amount of the convertible subordinated notes, with the balance of $0.5 million applied against the carrying value of the embedded derivative. As at October 1, 2016 and January 2 , 201 6 , the Company determined that the fair value of this embedded derivative was $2.9 million and $ 3.4 million, respectively, based on expectations related to the remaining royalty rights. (f) Long-lived assets Long-lived assets associated with the Company’s juice facility located in San Bernardino, California with a carrying value of $10.9 million were written down to their fair value of $0.6 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $10.3 million, which was included in other expense for the quarter and three quarters ended October 1 , 2016 (see note 9). Fair value was determined based on market prices for comparable assets, which represent level 2 inputs.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	6 . Inventories October 1, 2016 January 2, 2016 $ $ Raw materials and work-in-process 283,036 276,434 Finished goods 104,999 87,215 Company-owned grain 17,098 14,348 Inventory reserves (11,444) (6,774) 393,689 371,223

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Bank Indebtedness And Long Term Debt [Text Block]	7 . Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt October 1, 2016 January 2, 2016 $ $ Bank indebtedness: Global Credit Facility (1) 223,503 - North American credit facilities (1) - 70,563 European credit facilities (1) - 87,419 Bulgarian credit facility (2) 3,148 1,791 226,651 159,773 Long-term debt: Second Lien Loan Agreement, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of nil (January 2, 2016 - $7,757) (3) 310,000 312,243 Capital lease obligations 8,162 9,245 Other 1,481 1,507 319,643 322,995 Less: current portion 2,159 1,773 317,484 321,222 (1) Global Credit Facility On February 11, 2016, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $350.0 million, subject to borrowing base capacity (the “Global Credit Facility”). The Global Credit Facility replaced the Company’s previous North American credit facilities that were set to expire January 27, 2017, and its European credit facilities that were due on dem and with no set maturity date. The Global Credit Facility will be used to support the working capital and general corporate needs of the Company’s global operations, in addition to funding future strategic initiatives. T he Global Credit Facility also incl udes borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and provides for borrowings on same-day notice, including in the form of swingline loans. Subject to customary borrowing conditions and the agreement of any such lenders to provide such increased com mitments , the Company may request to increase the total lending commitments under the Global Credit Facility to a maximum aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450.0 million. Outstanding principal amounts under the Global Credit Facility are repayable in full on the maturity date of February 10, 2021. Individual borrowings under the Global Credit Facility have terms of six months or less and bear interest based on various reference rates, including prime rate and LIBOR plus an applicable margin. T he applicable margin in the Global Credit Facility ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for loans bearing interest based on LIBOR and from 0.25% to 0. 75% for loans bearing interest based on the prime rate and, in each case, is set quarterly based on average borrowin g availability for the preceding fiscal quarter. The initial margin for the Global Credit Facility was 0.50% with respect to prime rate borrowings and 1.50% with respect to LIBOR borrowings. As at October 1, 2016 , the weighted-average interest rate on the facilities was 2.57 %. The obligations under the Global Credit Facility are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s subsidiaries and, subject to certain exceptions, such obligations are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the as sets of the Company. The Global Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the Company’s ability to create liens on assets; sell assets and enter into sale and leaseback transactions; pay dividends, prepay junior lien and unsecured indebtedness and make other restricted payments; incur additional indebtedness and make guarantees; make investments, loans or advances, including acquisitions; and engage in mergers or consolidations. (2) Bulgarian credit facility On April 19, 2016, a subsidiary of The Organic Corporation (“TOC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, amended its revolving credit facility agreement dated May 22, 2013, to provide up to €4.5 million to cover the working capital needs of TOC’s Bulgarian operations. The facility is secured by the accounts receivable and inventories of the Bulgarian operat ions and is fully guaranteed by TOC. Interest accrues under the facility based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 2.75%, and borrowings under the facility are repayable in full on April 30, 2017. As at October 1, 2016 , the weighted-average interest rate on the B ulgarian credit facility was 2.75%. (3) Second Lien Loan Agreement On October 9, 2015, SunOpta Foods Inc. (“SunOpta Foods”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors (together with the Company, the “Guarantors”), entered into a second lien loan agreement (the “Second Lien Loan Agreement”) with a group of lenders, pursuant to which the Company borrowed an aggregate principal amount of $330.0 million of term loans. In connection with the Second Lien Loan Agreement, the Comp any incurred $10.8 million of debt issuance costs, which were recorded as a reduction against the principal amount of the borrowings. The net proceeds of the Second Lien Loan Agreement were used to partially fund the Sunrise Acquisition. The Second Lien Loan Agreement was guaranteed by the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantee the Global Credit Facility , subject to certain exceptions, and was secured on a second-priority basis b y security interests on all of SunOpta Food s ’ and Guarantors’ assets that secure d the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens. Interest on the term loans made under the Second Lien Loan Agreement on October 9, 2015 (the “Initial Loans”) was determined by reference to LIBOR (subject to a 1.0% per annum floor) plus an applicable margin of 6.0% per annum. The applicable margin increased by 0.50% at the end of each three-month period after October 9, 2015 and before October 9, 2016. In each case, the Initial Loans carried a maximum in terest rate of 9.5% per annum. Giving effect to the amortization of the debt issuance costs , the effective interest rate on the Initial Loans was approximately 1 1.2 % per annum. The Initial Loans could be repaid at par at any time prior to October 9, 2016. As at October 1, 2016 and January 2, 2016, the Company had repaid $20.0 million and $10.0 million principal amount , respectively, of the Initial Loans. On October 7, 2016, S unOpta Foods issued an aggregate of 85,000 shares of Series A Preferred St ock (the “Preferred Stock”) for consideration in the amount of $85.0 million. T he Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of the Preferred Stock to repay an additional $79.0 million principal amount of the Initial Loans (see note 15 ). The rema ining $231.0 million aggregate principal amount of Initial Loans matured on October 9, 2016 and automatically converted into a like principal amount of term loans (such converted loans, the “Term Loans”), with a maturity date of October 9, 2022. The Term Loans bore interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum. On October 20, 2016, all of the outstanding Term Loans were exchanged for a corresponding amount of 9 .5% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”) issued by SunOpta Foods (see note 15 ). The Second Lien Loan Agreement was terminated in connection with the issuance of the Notes.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	8 . Stock-Based Compensation Under the Company’s 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, the Company may grant a variety of stock-based awards including stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”) to selected employees and directors of the Company. Stock Options For the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , the Company granted 1,087,864 options to employees that vest ratably on each of the first through third anniversaries of the grant date and expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. The wei ghted-average grant-date fair value of these options was $1.36 , which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting period based on the number of stock options expected to vest. The following table summarizes the weighted -average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of the stock options granted: Exercise price $ 3.27 Dividend yield 0% Expected volatility 41.4% Risk-free interest rate 1.5% Expected life of options (in years) 6.0 Restricted Stock Units and Performance Share Units For the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , the Company granted 112,000 RSUs and 250,345 PSU s to certain employees and directors of the Company. Time-based RSUs vest ratably on each of the first through third anniversar ies of the grant date. The fair value of each RSU granted was estimated to be $3.27 based on the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. T he grant-date fair value is recognized on a straight-line basis over the three-year vesting period based on the nu mber of RSUs expected to vest. Performance-based PSUs vest three years following the grant date. The number of PSUs that ultimately vest (up to a specified maximum) will be determined based on performance relative to predetermined performance m easures of the Company . If the Company’s performance is below a specified performance level, no PSUs will vest. The weighted average grant-date fair v alue of the PSU s granted was estimated to be $3.27 based on the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the grant dates . Each reporting period, the number of PSUs that are expected to vest is re-determined and the grant-d ate fair value of these PSUs is amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting period less amounts previously recognized. Each vested RSU and PSU will be settled through the issuance of common shares of the Company and are therefore treated as equity awards .

Other Expense (Income), Net

Other Expense (Income), Net	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income And Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block]	9 . Other Expense, Net The components of other expense (income) a re as follows: Quarter ended Three quarters ended October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 $ $ $ $ Impairment of long-lived assets (1) 10,300 - 12,035 - Legal settlement (2) - - 9,000 - Product withdrawal and recall costs (3) - - 1,697 - Severance and rationalization costs (4) 138 2,653 1,153 2,653 Business development costs 23 893 233 1,416 Fair value of contingent consideration (see note 5) 124 235 (1,281) 317 Other (273) (129) (114) 7 10,312 3,652 22,723 4,393 (1) Impairment of long-lived assets During the third quarter of 2016, the Company assessed the carrying value of owned equipment and leasehold improvements associated with its leased San Bernardino, California juice facility as it evaluated recent commercial and operational developments that impacted the facility. In particular, the Company identified a need for significant investment in new packaging and processing capabilities in order to satisfy packaging format changes demanded by the fa cility’s largest customer. In addition, the Company was unsuccessful in contracting sufficient supply of raw citrus fruit for the upcoming season to allow for effective and efficient use of the facility’s extraction capabilities. This supply chain challe nge is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, and while the Company has secured sufficient supply of extracted juice to meet its production requirements, the Company determined that it would be more beneficial to transfer its juice production fro m the facility to contract manufacturers with whom the Company has ongoing relationships. Accordingly, the Company has decided to not make further capital investments in support of the bottling or extraction areas of the facility. As a result, the Compan y determined that the carrying value of the long-lived assets of $10.9 million was not recoverable and that the assets were impaired . The Company recorded an impairment loss of $10.3 million to write down the carrying value of these assets to their estima ted fair value. This facility is included in the Consumer Products operating segment. On November 8, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the closure of the San Bernardino juice facility. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company ex pects to incur additional facility closure costs of approximately $4.0 million to $5.0 million including lease termination and employee severance costs. In addition, it is reasonably possible that the Company may need to further adjust the estimated fair value of the long-lived assets based on the final disposition of the facility. For the three quarters ended October 1, 2016, the Company also recorded an impairment charge of $1.7 million related to the write-off of leasehold improvements at its Buena Par k, California frozen fruit processing facility. In the first quarter of 2016, the Company transferred all production volume from this facility into Sunrise ’ s facilities loc ated in Kansas and California. (2) Legal settlement In the second quarter of 2016 , the Company recorded a charge of $9.0 million in connection with the settlement of a complaint filed by Plum, PBC (“Plum”) that arose out of a voluntary recall by Plum of certain resealable pouch products manufactured at the Company’s Allentown, Pennsylv ania facility in 2013 (see note 13 ). Previously, in the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recorded a $5.2 million provision for the expected loss associated with this recall, which reflected at that time the amount due to the Company for product sol d to Plum that was subject to the recall, as well as the carrying value of recalled product still in inventory at the Company. The previously recorded provision did not include any potential amounts payable in connection with the settlement of litigation r elating to the voluntary recall. (3) Product withdrawal and recall costs For the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , the Company recognized costs of $1.1 million associated with the voluntary withdrawal by a customer , in coordination with the Company, of private label orange juice product produced at the San Bernardino juice facility, due to instances of early spoilage within the prescribed shelf life of the product. In addition, for the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , the Company recognized an estimated los s of $0.6 million, net of estimated insurance recoveries in connection with a voluntary recall of certain sunflower kernel products that was announced in the second quarter of 2016 (see note 4 ). (4) Severance and rationalization costs For the three quarters ended October 1, 2016, severance and rationalization costs primarily related to the consolidation of the Company ’ s frozen fruit processing facilities following the Sunrise Acquisition, which included lease termination costs associated with t he vacated Buena Park facility and related corporate office located in Cerritos, California. For the quarter and three quarters ended October 3, 2015, employee severance costs included contractual severance benefits of $1.2 million and previously unreco gnized stock-based compensation expense of $0.9 million recognized in connection with the departure of Steven Bromley as the Company ’ s Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2015.

Income tax

Income tax	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	10 . Income Taxes For the quarters and three quarters ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015 , the Company’s effective tax rate was different from the Company’s statutory Canadian tax rate due to the Company’s annualized mix of earnings by jurisdiction, and the impact of discrete items including the realization of $1.3 million of previously unrecognized tax benefits in the third quarter of 2016 . For the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , the Company used the actual year-to-date effective tax rate to estimate tax expense for these periods, in stead of the annualized effective tax rate, as the calculated annualized effective tax rate was found to be highly sensitive to changes in estimates of total net earnings. The Company recognized a recovery of income tax of $15.6 million for the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , compared with a provision for income tax of $4.8 million for the three quarters ended October 3, 2015 . Excluding the impact of the change in unrecognized tax benefits, the effective tax ra te was 43.8% for the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , compared with 31.3% for the three quarters ended October 3, 2015 . The e ffective tax rate s reflect ed the impact of changes in the jurisdictional mix of earnings, mainly as the result of pre-tax losses in the U.S. for the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , compared with pre-tax earnings in the U.S. for t he corresponding periods of 2015 , reflecting the effect in the first three quarters of 2016 of higher cash interest costs related to the financing of the Sunrise Acquisition, as well as discrete costs related to business acquisitions, including the acquisition accounting adjustment to Sunrise inventory sold in the period (see note 2 ) and amorti zation of debt issuance costs related to the Second Lien Loan Agreement (see note 7 ) , as well as the impact of other discrete items including costs associated with the legal settlement with Plum, consolidation of our frozen fruit processing facilities , and product withdrawal and recall costs (see note 9 ) .

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Earnings Per Share Abstract
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	11 . Earnings (Loss) Per Share Earnings (loss) per share a re calculated as follows : Quarter ended Three quarters ended October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SunOpta Inc. $ (3,355) $ (194) $ (17,142) $ 10,556 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to SunOpta Inc. - 508 (570) (2,959) Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc. $ (3,355) $ 314 $ (17,712) $ 7,597 Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 85,618,870 69,180,603 85,528,512 68,198,611 Dilutive potential of the following: Employee/director stock options and RSUs 31,582 - 20,534 207,190 Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 85,650,452 69,180,603 85,549,046 68,405,801 Earnings (loss) per share - basic: - from continuing operations $ (0.04) $ - $ (0.20) $ 0.15 - from discontinued operations - 0.01 (0.01) (0.04) $ (0.04) $ - $ (0.21) $ 0.11 Earnings (loss) per share - diluted: - from continuing operations $ (0.04) $ - $ (0.20) $ 0.15 - from discontinued operations - 0.01 (0.01) (0.04) $ (0.04) $ - $ (0.21) $ 0.11 For the quarter ended October 1, 2016 , stock options to purchase 1,873,871 ( October 3, 2015  870,192 ) common shares were excluded from the calculation of potential dilutive common shares due to their anti-dilutive effect . For the three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , stock options to purchase 2,453,271 ( October 3, 2015  405,996 ) common shares were excluded from the calculation of potential dilutive common shares due to their anti-dilutive effect. For the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2016 , all potential dilutive common shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share due to their anti-dilutive effect of reducing the loss per share .

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash Flow Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	12 . Supplemental Cash Flow Information Quarter ended Three quarters ended October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 $ $ $ $ Changes in non-cash working capital, net of businesses acquired: Accounts receivable (22,302) 7,250 (56,049) (2,352) Inventories 5,150 3,369 (34,760) (29,824) Income tax recoverable 9,423 (3,600) 14,807 (6,617) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,985) 2,190 (2,591) (922) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 10,999 2,321 21,943 9,731 Customer and other deposits (449) 1,118 (4,293) 1,019 836 12,648 (60,943) (28,965)

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	13 . Commitments and Contingencies Plum Dispute Plum, a Dela ware public benefit corporation and a subsidiary of Campbell Soup Company (“Campbell”), and SunOpta Global Organic Ingredients, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“SGOI”), are parties to a manufacturing and packaging agreement dated September 21, 2011 (the “Plum Manufacturing Agreement”). Pursuant to the Plum Manufacturing Agreement, SGOI agreed to manufacture and package certain food items for Plum at SGOI’s Allentown, Pennsylvania facility in accordance wit h Plum’s specifications regarding, among other things, product ingredients and packaging, manufacturing processes, and quality control standards. On November 8, 2013, Plum initiated a voluntary recall of certain products manufactured by SGOI at its Allento wn facility. On February 3, 2015, Plum filed a complaint against SGOI in the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas in Allentown, Pennsylvania. On April 13, 2015, Plum filed an amended complaint adding packaging manufacturer and supplier Cheer Pack North Amer ica (“ Cheer Pack ”) as a Defendant. SGOI asserted counterclaims against Plum, crossclaims against Cheer Pack and third-party claims against Gualapack S.p.A (“Gualapack”) , Hosokawa Yoko, Co. (“Hosokawa”) , Secure HY Packaging Co., Ltd. (“SHY”) and CDF Corpora tion (“CDF”) . C heer Pack asserted cross-claims a gainst SGOI. Plum alleged it initiated the recall in response to consumer complaints of bloated packaging and premature spoilage of certain products, which could lead to gastrointestinal symptoms and discomfo rt if consumed. Plum allege d that the spoilage of its products resulted from a post-processing issue at SGOI’s Allentown facility. Plum sought unspecified damages equal to the direct costs of the recall and handling of undistributed product, incidental and consequential damages, lost profits and attorneys’ fees. On July 29, 2016, SGOI entered into a Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with Plum, Campbell, Cheer Pack, Gualapack, Hosokawa, CDF and SHY. The Settlement Agreem ent resolve d the disputed issues among the parties in connection with the litigation filed by Plum against SGOI , as described above . Pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the Company paid Campbell $5.0 million in cash and will provide Campbel l with rebates of up to $4.0 million over a four-year period in connection with Plum’s purchases of pouch products and Campbell’s purchases of aseptic broth products pursuant to manufacturing and supply agreements, as amended, between the parties and their affiliates. In order for Campbell to obtain the full $4 .0 million in rebates, Plum and Campbell must order certain minimum quantities of pouch products and aseptic broth products within each of the designated twelve-month periods over the four-year rebat e period. In connection with the Settlement Agreement, the Company recorded a charge of $9.0 million in the second quarter of 2016 , as the Company believes there is reasonable assurance that the minimum order quantities will be achieved (see note 9 ) . Employment Matter On April 19, 2013, a class-action complaint, in the case titled De Jesus, et al. v. Frozsun, Inc. d/b/a Frozsun Foods , was filed against Sunrise Growers, Inc. (then named Frozsun , Inc.) in California Superior Court, Santa Barbara County seeking damages, equitable relief and reasonable attorneys’ fees for alleged wage and hour violations. This case includes claims for failure to pay all hours worked, failure to pay overtime wages, meal and rest period violations, waiting-time penalties, improper wage statements and unfair business practices. The putative class includes approximately 8,5 00 to 9,0 00 non-exempt hourly employees from Sunrise’s production facilities in Santa Maria and O xnard, California. The parties are currently engaged in pre-class certification discovery. The Company is unable to estimate any potential liabilities relating to this proceeding, and any such liabilities could be material. Other Claims In addition, vari ous claims and potential claims arising in the normal course of business are pending against the Company. It is the opinion of management that these claims or potential claims are without merit and the amount of potential liability, if any, to the Company is not determinable. Management believes the final determination of these claims or potential claims will not materially affect the financial position or results of the Company.

Segmented Information

Segmented Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	14 . Segmented Information In connection with the Company’s divestiture of its equity interest in Opta Minerals on April 6, 2016, the Company recognized Opta Minerals as a discontinued operation for the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2016 and October 3, 2015 (see notes 1 and 3 ). Prior to being recognized as a discontinued operation, Opta Minerals was reported as a standalone operating segment within the Company. With the divestiture of Opta Minerals, the composition of the Company’s remaining reportable segments is as follows: Global Ingredients aggregates our North American-based Raw Material Sourcing and Supply and European-based International Sourcing and Supply operating segments focused on the procurement and sale of specialty and organic grains and seeds, raw material ingr edients, value-added grain- and cocoa-based ingredients, and organic commodities. Consumer Products consists of three main commercial platforms: Healthy Beverages, Healthy Fruit and Healthy Snacks. Healthy Beverages includes aseptic packaged products inc luding non-dairy and dairy beverages, broths and teas; refrigerated premium juices; and shelf-stable juices and functional waters. Healthy Fruit includes IQF fruits for retail; IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice; and custom fruit preparations for i ndustrial use. Healthy Snacks includes fruit snacks; nutritional and protein bars; and re-sealable pouch products. In addition, Corporate Services provides a variety of management, financial, information technology, treasury and administration services t o each of the SunOpta Foods operating segments from the Company’s headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario and administrative office in Edina, Minnesota. When reviewing the operating results of the Company’s operating segments, management uses segment revenue s from external customers and segment operating income to assess performance and allocate resources. Segment operating income excludes other income/expense items and goodwill impairment losses. In addition, interest expense and income amounts, and provis ions for income taxes are not allocated to the operating segments. Quarter ended October 1, 2016 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 137,174 211,558 348,732 Segment operating income 7,404 8,104 15,508 Corporate Services (2,287) Other expense, net (10,312) Interest expense, net (12,178) Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (9,269) Quarter ended October 3, 2015 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 150,500 126,713 277,213 Segment operating income 4,642 1,863 6,505 Corporate Services (2,406) Other expense, net (3,652) Interest expense, net (1,103) Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (656) Three quarters ended October 1, 2016 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 441,694 607,498 1,049,192 Segment operating income 24,256 6,989 31,245 Corporate Services (6,544) Other expense, net (22,723) Interest expense, net (34,748) Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (32,770) Three quarters ended October 3, 2015 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 467,405 361,351 828,756 Segment operating income 23,934 5,115 29,049 Corporate Services (6,007) Other expense, net (4,393) Interest expense, net (3,171) Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes 15,478

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	15 . Subsequent Events Series A Preferred Stock On October 7, 2016 (the “Closing Date”), the Company and SunOpta Foods entered into a subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with Oaktree Organics, L.P. and Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund II, L.P. (collectively, the “Investors”). Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement, SunOpta Foods issued an aggreg ate of 85,000 shares of Preferred Stock to the Investors for consideration in the amount of $85.0 million. The proceeds were used to r epay $79.0 million principal amount of Initial Loans outstanding under the Second Lien Loan Agreement and pay expenses as sociated with the transaction. In connection with the Subscription Agreement, the Company agreed to, among other things (i) ensure SunOpta Foods has sufficient funds to pay its obligations under the terms of the Preferred Stock and (ii) grant each holder of Preferred Stock (the “Holder”) the right to exchange the Preferred Stock for shares of common stock of the Company ( the “Common Shares”). The Preferred Stock is non-participating with the Common Shares in dividends and undistributed earnings of the Com pany. The Preferred Stock has a stated value and initial liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Cumulative preferred dividends accrue daily on the Preferred Stock at an annualized rate of 8.0% prior to October 5, 2025 and 12.5% thereafter, in each case of the liquidation preference (subject to an increase of 1.0% per quarter, up to a maximum rate of 5.0% per quarter on the occurrence of certain events of non-compliance). Prior to October 5, 2025, SunOpta Foods may pay dividends in cash or elect, i n lieu of paying cash, to add the amount that would have been paid to the liquidation preference. After October 4, 2025, the failure to pay dividends in cash will be an event of non-compliance. The Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of common sto ck of SunOpta Foods with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company or SunOpta Foods. At any time, the Holders may exchange their shares of Preferred Stock, in whole o r in part, into the number of Common Shares equal to, per share of Preferred Stock, the quotient of the liquidation preference divided by $7.50 (such price, the “Exchange Price” and such quotient, the “Exchange Rate”). As at October 7, 2016, the aggregate shares of Preferred Stock outstanding were exchangeable into 11,333,333 Common Shares. The Exchange Price is subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, including a weighted-average adjustment for issuances of Common Shares below the Exchange Price, pr ovided that the Exchange Price may not be lower than $7.00 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances). SunOpta Foods may cause the Holders to exchange all of the Preferred Stock into a number of Common Shares based on the applicable Exchange Price i f (i) fewer than 10% of the shares of Preferred Stock issued on the Closing Date remain outstanding or (ii) on or after the third anniversary of the Closing Date, the average volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares during the then preceding 20 t rading day period is greater than 200% of the Exchange Price. Prior to the receipt of applicable approval by the holder of Common Shares , shares of Preferred Stock are not exchangeable into more than 19.99% of the number of Common Shares outstanding immed iately after giving effect to such exchange. At any time on or after the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, SunOpta Foods may redeem all of the Preferred Stock for an amount, per share of Preferred Stock, equal to the value of the liquidation prefere nce at such time. Upon certain events involving a change of control of the Company, SunOpta Foods must use reasonable efforts to provide the Holders with the option to exchange shares of the Preferred Stock for a security in the surviving or successor ent ity that has the same rights, preferences and privileges as the Preferred Stock as adjusted for the change of control. SunOpta Foods will also offer to redeem the Preferred Stock at an amount per share equal to the greater of (i) the liquidation preferenc e plus an amount equal to the value of incremental dividends that would have accrued through to the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) the amount payable per Common Share in such change of control multiplied by the Exchange Rate. In connecti on with the Subscription Agreement, 11,333,333 Special Shares, Series 1 (the “Special Voting Shares”) of the Company were issued to the Investors, which entitle the Investors to one vote per Special Voting Share on all matters submitted to a vote of the ho lders of Common Shares, together as a single class, subject to certain exceptions. As of the Closing Date, the Special Voting Shares represented an 11.7% voting interest in the Company. Additional Special Voting Shares will be issued, or existing Special V oting Shares will be redeemed, as necessary to ensure that the aggregate number of Special Voting Shares outstanding is equal to the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding from time to time multiplied by the Exchange Rate in effect at such time. The Special Voting Shares are not transferable and the voting rights associated with the Special Voting Shares will terminate upon the transfer of the Preferred Stock to a third party, other than a controlled affiliate of the Investors. The Investors will be entitled to designate up to two nominees for election to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) and have the right to designate one individual to attend meetings of the Board as a non-voting observer, subject to the Investors maintaining c ertain levels of beneficial ownership of Common Shares on an as-exchanged basis. For so long as the Investors beneficially own or control at least 50% of the Preferred Stock issued on the Closing Date, including any corresponding Common Shares into which such Preferred Stock are exchanged, the Investors will be entitled to (i) participation rights with respect to future equity offerings of the Company; and (ii) governance rights, including the right to approve certain actions proposed to be taken by the Co mpany and its subsidiaries. Senior Secured Second Lien Notes On October 20, 2016, SunOpta Foods issued $231.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes in exchange for the corresponding principal amount of Term Loans borrowed under the Second Lien Loan Agreement. The Term Loans were the result of the automatic conversion on October 9, 2016 of the outstanding Initial Loans borrowed under the Second Lien Loan Agreement (see note 7 ). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 at a rate of 9.5% per annum, commencing on April 15, 2017. The Notes will mature on October 9, 2022. At any time prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time and from time to time a t a “make-w hole” redemption price set forth in the indenture governing the Notes . On or after October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the redemption prices equal to 107.125% through October 8, 2019, 104.750% from Octob er 9, 2019 through October 8, 2020, 102.375% from October 9, 2020 through October 8, 2021 and at par thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. In addition, prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may, o n one or more occasions, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.500% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. At any time prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may also redeem, during each twelve-month period beginning on October 20, 2016, up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a price equal t o 103% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. In the event of a change of control, SunOpta Foods will be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. The Notes are secured by second-priority liens on substantially all of the assets that secure the credit facilities provided under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens. The Notes are senior secured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with SunOpta Foods’ existing and future senior debt and senior in right of payment to any future subordinated debt. The Notes are effectively subordinated to debt under the Global Credit Facility and any future indebtedness secured on a first priority basis. The Notes are initially guaranteed on a senior secured second-priority basis by the Company and each of i ts subsidiaries (other than SunOpta Foods) that guarantees indebtedness under the Global Credit Facility, subject to certain exceptions. The Notes are subject to covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability to (i) incur additional debt or issue preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends and make certain types of investments and other restricted payments; (iii) create liens; (iv) enter into transactions with affiliates; (v) sell assets; and (vi) create restrictions on the ability of restricted s ubsidiaries to pay dividends, make loans or advances or transfer assets to the Company, SunOpta Foods or any Guarantor. The indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include no npayment, breach of covenants in the indenture, certain payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness, a failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the truste e or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on, if any, all th e Notes to be due and payable.

Accounting Policies (Policy)

Accounting Policies (Policy)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting [Text Block]	The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Reg ulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, these condensed interim consolidated financia l statements do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation have been included and all such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Operating results for the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2016 or for any other period. The interim consolidated financial statemen ts include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 2, 2016 . For further information, refer to the consolidated financial st atements, and notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016 .
New Accounting Pronouncements Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016- 15 , which clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flow, including contingent consideration payments made after a business combination . The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 , including interim periods within those fiscal years , and is to be applied on a retrospective basis . Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated statement of cash flows . In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stoc k Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which is intended to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, the classification of awards as either equity or lia bilities, and the classification on the statement of cash flows. Under the new guidance, companies will record excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement rather than in additional paid-in capital. In addition, the guidance permits companies to elect to recognize forfeitures of share-based payments as they occur, rather than estimating the number of awards expected to be forfeited as is currently required. This guidance is effective for annual and inte rim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”, a comprehensive new standard that amends various aspects of existing accounting guidance for leases, including the recognition of a right of use asset and a lease liability for leases with a duration of greater than one year. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidat ed financial statements; however, the Company anticipates that upon adoption of the standard it will recognize additional assets and corresponding liabilities related to leases on its balance sheet. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. ASU 2016-01 will require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in con solidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The guidance provides a new measurement alternative for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify fo r the net asset practical expedient. Under this alternative, these investments can be measured at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment wi th the same issuer. Additionally, ASU 2016-01 also changes certain disclosure requirements and other aspects of current U.S. GAAP. ASU 2016-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. The Company is cu rrently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which will supersede existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GA AP. Under the new standard, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In Aug ust 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which defers by one year the effective date of ASU 2014-09. I n 2016 , the FASB issued additional ASUs to address implementation issues and to clarify the guidance for identifying performance obligations, licenses and determining if a company is the principal or agent in a revenue arrangement. ASU 2014-09, as amended, will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and is to be applied on either a full retrospective or modified retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual and interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2014-09, as amended, will have on its consolidated financial statements

Business Acquisition (Tables)

Business Acquisition (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as at the acquisition date . $ Cash and cash equivalents 1,728 Accounts receivable (1) 26,090 Inventories (2) 124,829 Income taxes recoverable 12,025 Other current assets 3,982 Property, plant and equipment (3) 46,068 Intangible assets (4) 170,000 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (24,169) Long-term debt, including current portion (7,620) Deferred income taxes, net (75,193) Net identifiable assets acquired 277,740 Goodwill (5) 196,709 Non-controlling interest (6) (1,781) Net assets acquired 472,668 On August 11, 2015, the Company acquired the net operating assets of Niagara Natural Fruit Snack Company Inc. (“Niagara Natural”). Niagara Natural is a manufacturer of all-natural fruit snacks located in the Niagara Region of Ontario. The acquisition of the net operating assets of Niagara Natural has been accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting. The results of Niagara Natural have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition and are reported in the Consumer Products operating segment. The following table summarizes the fair values of the consideration transferred as at the acquisition date: Provisional Amounts Recognized as at the Acquisition Date Measurement Period Adjustment (1) Final Amounts Recognized as at the Acquisition Date $ $ $ Cash 6,475 - 6,475 Working capital adjustment 237 (292) (55) Contingent consideration (2) 2,330 - 2,330 Total consideration transferred 9,042 (292) 8,750 The following table summarizes the fai r values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as at the acquisition date : Provisional Amounts Recognized as at the Acquisition Date Measurement Period Adjustment (1) Final Amounts Recognized as at the Acquisition Date $ $ $ Current assets 2,220 (292) 1,928 Machinery and equipment 3,414 - 3,414 Intangible assets (2) 2,459 - 2,459 Current liabilities (687) - (687) Net identifiable assets acquired 7,406 (292) 7,114 Goodwill (3) 1,636 - 1,636 Net assets acquired 9,042 (292) 8,750 The following table summarizes the fair values of the consideration transferred as at the acquisition date: $ Cash 13,300 Working capital adjustment (319) Settlement of pre-existing relationship 749 Contingent consideration (1) 18,000 Total consideration transferred 31,730 The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as at the acquisition date . $ Accounts receivable 2,351 Inventories 1,745 Machinery and equipment 164 Customer relationships intangible asset (1) 14,000 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1,666) Net identifiable assets acquired 16,594 Goodwill (2) 15,136 Net assets acquired 31,730

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	The following table reconciles the major classes of assets and liabilities of Opta Minerals to the amounts reported as held for sale: January 2, 2016 $ Cash and cash equivalents 1,707 Accounts receivable 14,676 Inventories 25,869 Property, plant and equipment 16,019 Intangible assets 13,194 Other assets 3,380 Loss recognized on classification as held for sale (10,515) Total assets held for sale 64,330 Bank indebtedness 12,107 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 9,634 Long-term debt 25,858 Other liabilities 4,887 Total liabilities held for sale 52,486 The following table reconciles the major components of the results of discontinued operations to the amounts reported in the consolidated statements of operations : Quarter ended Three quarters ended October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 October 1, 2016 (1) October 3, 2015 $ $ $ $ Revenues - 28,794 24,896 87,925 Cost of goods sold (2) - (24,471) (22,133) (75,823) Selling, general and administrative expenses - (2,736) (3,024) (8,851) Intangible asset amortization - (498) - (1,505) Other expense, net (3) - (591) (794) (2,201) Foreign exchange gain (loss) - 1,017 (454) 568 Interest expense - (816) (484) (3,664) Earnings (loss) before income taxes - 699 (1,993) (3,551) Gain on classification as held for sale before income taxes - - 560 - Total pre-tax earnings (loss) from discontinued operations - 699 (1,433) (3,551) Recovery of (provision for) income taxes - (75) 599 (964) Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations - 624 (834) (4,515) Loss (earnings) from discontinued operations attributable to non-controlling interest - (116) 264 1,556 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to SunOpta Inc. - 508 (570) (2,959)

Derivative Financial Instrume26

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	October 1, 2016 Fair value asset (liability) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 $ $ $ $ (a) Commodity futures and forward contracts (1) Unrealized short-term derivative asset 1,747 799 948 - Unrealized short-term derivative liability (1,197) - (1,197) - Unrealized long-term derivative liability (12) - (12) - (b) Inventories carried at market (2) 6,647 - 6,647 - (c) Forward foreign currency contracts (3) (188) - (188) - (d) Contingent consideration (4) (15,175) - - (15,175) (e) Embedded derivative (5) 2,944 - - 2,944 (f) Long-lived assets (6) 600 - 600 - January 2, 2016 Fair value asset (liability) Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 $ $ $ $ (a) Commodity futures and forward contracts (1) Unrealized short-term derivative asset 748 - 748 - Unrealized long-term derivative asset 21 - 21 - Unrealized short-term derivative liability (1,417) (10) (1,407) - Unrealized long-term derivative liability (36) - (36) - (b) Inventories carried at market (2) 5,945 - 5,945 - (c) Forward foreign currency contracts (3) 311 - 311 - (d) Contingent consideration (4) (21,010) - - (21,010) (e) Embedded derivative (5) 3,409 - - 3,409
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]	Number of bushels purchased (sold) Corn Soybeans Forward commodity purchase contracts 414 596 Forward commodity sale contracts (75) (599) Commodity futures contracts (670) (440)
Schedule Of Business Acquisitions By Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block]	January 2, 2016 Fair Value October 1, 2016 Issuances Adjustments (1) Payments (2) $ $ $ $ $ Contingent consideration (21,010) - 1,281 4,554 (15,175)

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	October 1, 2016 January 2, 2016 $ $ Raw materials and work-in-process 283,036 276,434 Finished goods 104,999 87,215 Company-owned grain 17,098 14,348 Inventory reserves (11,444) (6,774) 393,689 371,223

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Te28

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Short-term Debt [Abstract]
Schedule Of Line Of Credit Facilities And Long Term Debt [Table Text Block]	October 1, 2016 January 2, 2016 $ $ Bank indebtedness: Global Credit Facility (1) 223,503 - North American credit facilities (1) - 70,563 European credit facilities (1) - 87,419 Bulgarian credit facility (2) 3,148 1,791 226,651 159,773 Long-term debt: Second Lien Loan Agreement, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of nil (January 2, 2016 - $7,757) (3) 310,000 312,243 Capital lease obligations 8,162 9,245 Other 1,481 1,507 319,643 322,995 Less: current portion 2,159 1,773 317,484 321,222

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	Exercise price $ 3.27 Dividend yield 0% Expected volatility 41.4% Risk-free interest rate 1.5% Expected life of options (in years) 6.0

Other Expense (Income), Net (Ta

Other Expense (Income), Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Income And Other Expense Disclosure [Table Text Block]	Quarter ended Three quarters ended October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 $ $ $ $ Impairment of long-lived assets (1) 10,300 - 12,035 - Legal settlement (2) - - 9,000 - Product withdrawal and recall costs (3) - - 1,697 - Severance and rationalization costs (4) 138 2,653 1,153 2,653 Business development costs 23 893 233 1,416 Fair value of contingent consideration (see note 5) 124 235 (1,281) 317 Other (273) (129) (114) 7 10,312 3,652 22,723 4,393

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Earnings Per Share Abstract
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Quarter ended Three quarters ended October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SunOpta Inc. $ (3,355) $ (194) $ (17,142) $ 10,556 Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to SunOpta Inc. - 508 (570) (2,959) Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc. $ (3,355) $ 314 $ (17,712) $ 7,597 Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 85,618,870 69,180,603 85,528,512 68,198,611 Dilutive potential of the following: Employee/director stock options and RSUs 31,582 - 20,534 207,190 Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 85,650,452 69,180,603 85,549,046 68,405,801 Earnings (loss) per share - basic: - from continuing operations $ (0.04) $ - $ (0.20) $ 0.15 - from discontinued operations - 0.01 (0.01) (0.04) $ (0.04) $ - $ (0.21) $ 0.11 Earnings (loss) per share - diluted: - from continuing operations $ (0.04) $ - $ (0.20) $ 0.15 - from discontinued operations - 0.01 (0.01) (0.04) $ (0.04) $ - $ (0.21) $ 0.11

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform32

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Quarter ended Three quarters ended October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 October 1, 2016 October 3, 2015 $ $ $ $ Changes in non-cash working capital, net of businesses acquired: Accounts receivable (22,302) 7,250 (56,049) (2,352) Inventories 5,150 3,369 (34,760) (29,824) Income tax recoverable 9,423 (3,600) 14,807 (6,617) Prepaid expenses and other current assets (1,985) 2,190 (2,591) (922) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 10,999 2,321 21,943 9,731 Customer and other deposits (449) 1,118 (4,293) 1,019 836 12,648 (60,943) (28,965)

Segmented Information (Tables)

Segmented Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Quarter ended October 1, 2016 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 137,174 211,558 348,732 Segment operating income 7,404 8,104 15,508 Corporate Services (2,287) Other expense, net (10,312) Interest expense, net (12,178) Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (9,269) Quarter ended October 3, 2015 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 150,500 126,713 277,213 Segment operating income 4,642 1,863 6,505 Corporate Services (2,406) Other expense, net (3,652) Interest expense, net (1,103) Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (656) Three quarters ended October 1, 2016 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 441,694 607,498 1,049,192 Segment operating income 24,256 6,989 31,245 Corporate Services (6,544) Other expense, net (22,723) Interest expense, net (34,748) Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (32,770) Three quarters ended October 3, 2015 Global Consumer Ingredients Products Consolidated $ $ $ Segment revenues from external customers 467,405 361,351 828,756 Segment operating income 23,934 5,115 29,049 Corporate Services (6,007) Other expense, net (4,393) Interest expense, net (3,171) Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes 15,478

Description of Business and S34

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Basis Of Presentation Fiscal Year End And New Accounting Pronouncements Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Cycle	The fiscal year of the Company consists of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2016 is a 52-week period ending on December 31, 2016, with quarterly periods ending on April 2, July 2 and October 1, 2016. Fiscal year 2015 was a 52-week period ending on January 2, 2016, with quarterly periods ending on April 4, July 4 and October 3, 2015.
Year Founded	1,973
Opta Minerals Inc [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent		66.00%

Business Acquisition (Citrusour

Business Acquisition (Citrusource, Niagara, Sunrise - Sunrise Holdings Narrative) (Details) - Sunrise Growers, Inc. [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 09, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Name of Acquired Entity	Sunrise Growers, Inc.
Business Acquisition, Description Of Acquired Entity	Sunrise is a processor of conventional and organic individually quick frozen (“IQF”) fruit in the U.S. and Mexico.
Business Acquisition		Oct. 9, 2015
Total consideration		$ 472.7
Component Of Total Consideration Credit Facility		171.5
Business Combination Component Of Total Consideration Stock Options		23
Business Combination Component Of Total Consideration Acquisition Costs		$ 20.9

Business Acquisition (Citruso36

Business Acquisition (Citrusource, Niagara, Sunrise - Sunrise Holdings Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 09, 2015	Oct. 03, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 241,585	$ 241,690		$ 241,585
Business Combination, Narrative Disclosure for Sunrise [Abstract]
Acquisition accounting adjustment on inventory sold	$ 1,890		$ 0	13,404		$ 0
Sunrise Growers, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents					$ 1,728
Accounts receivables					26,090
Inventories					124,829
Income taxes recoverable					12,025
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets					3,982
Property, plant and equipment					46,068
Intangible Assets					170,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities					(24,169)
Long-term debt, including current portion					(7,620)
Deferred income taxes, net					(75,193)
Total consideration/Net identifiable assets acquired (liabilities assumed)					277,740
Goodwill					196,709
Non-controlling interest					(1,781)
Net assets acquired (liabilities assumed)					472,668
Business Combination Acquired Receivables [Abstract]
Business Combination Acquired Receivables Gross Contractual Amount					26,200
Estimated Uncollectible					200
Business Combination, Narrative Disclosure for Sunrise [Abstract]
Business Combination, Inventory Adjustment Fair Value					19,000
Acquisition accounting adjustment on inventory sold		$ 4,000		$ 13,400
Business Combination, Property, Plant and Equipment Adjustment Fair Value					$ 3,700
Sunrise Growers, Inc. [Member] | Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Business Combination, Narrative Disclosure for Sunrise [Abstract]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life					23 years
Sunrise Growers, Inc. [Member] | Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Business Combination, Narrative Disclosure for Sunrise [Abstract]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate					12.00%
Sunrise Growers, Inc. [Member] | Mexican Subsidiary [Member]
Business Combination, Narrative Disclosure for Sunrise [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent					75.00%

Business Acquisition (Citruso37

Business Acquisition (Citrusource, Niagara, Sunrise - Contingent Consideration Transferred) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	7 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	May 05, 2016	Aug. 11, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 09, 2015	Oct. 03, 2015
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed), Net [Abstract]
Business Combination Working Capital Adjustment		$ 0	$ (55)			$ 0		$ 264
Business Combination Settlement of pre-existing relationship		$ 0	$ 0			$ 0		$ (749)
Citrusource, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition	Mar. 2, 2015
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	100.00%
Business Acquisition, Name of Acquired Entity						Citrusource, LLC
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed), Net [Abstract]
Cash	$ 13,300
Business Combination Working Capital Adjustment	(319)
Business Combination Settlement of pre-existing relationship	749
Contingent Consideration	18,000
Total Consideration Transferred	$ 31,730
Niagara Natural Fruit Snack Company Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition					Aug. 11, 2015
Business Acquisition, Name of Acquired Entity						Niagara Natural Fruit Snack Company Inc.
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed), Net [Abstract]
Cash					$ 6,475	$ 6,475
Business Combination Preliminary Working Capital Adjustment					237	(55)
Contingent Consideration					2,330	2,330
Total Consideration Transferred					$ 9,042	$ 8,750
Business Combination Provisional Information Initial Accounting Incomplete Adjustment Financial Assets				$ (292)
Business Combination Provisional Information Initial Accounting Incomplete Adjustment Consideration Transferred				$ (292)
Sunrise Growers, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired							100.00%
Business Acquisition, Name of Acquired Entity						Sunrise Growers, Inc.
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed), Net [Abstract]
Total Consideration Transferred							$ 472,700

Business Acquisition (Citruso38

Business Acquisition (Citrusource, Niagara, Sunrise - Preliminary Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		4 Months Ended	7 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	May 05, 2016	Aug. 11, 2015		Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 09, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 241,585					$ 241,585		$ 241,690
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration		(124)	$ (235)				1,281	$ (317)
Citrusource, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivables	$ 2,351
Inventories	1,745
Property, plant and equipment	164
Customer Relationships Intangible Assets	14,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(1,666)
Total consideration/Net identifiable assets acquired (liabilities assumed)	16,594
Cash	13,300
Goodwill	15,136
Net assets acquired	$ 31,730
Niagara Natural Fruit Snack Company Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current Assets		1,928			$ 2,220		1,928
Property, plant and equipment		3,414			3,414		3,414
Customer Relationships Intangible Assets		2,459			2,459	[1]	2,459
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(687)			(687)		(687)
Total consideration/Net identifiable assets acquired (liabilities assumed)		7,114			7,406		7,114
Cash					6,475		6,475
Goodwill		1,636			1,636	[2]	1,636
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration				$ (1,700)
Net assets acquired		$ 8,750			$ 9,042		$ 8,750
Business Combination Provisional Information Initial Accounting Incomplete Adjustment Financial Assets				(292)
Business Combination Provisional Information Initial Accounting Incomplete Adjustment Consideration Transferred				$ (292)
Sunrise Growers, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents										$ 1,728
Accounts receivables										26,090
Inventories										124,829
Income taxes recoverable										12,025
Current Assets										3,982
Property, plant and equipment										46,068
Customer Relationships Intangible Assets										170,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities										(24,169)
Deferred income tax										(75,193)
Bank indebtedness and long-term debt										(7,620)
Total consideration/Net identifiable assets acquired (liabilities assumed)										277,740
Goodwill										196,709
Non-controlling interest										(1,781)
Net assets acquired										$ 472,668
[1]	Intangible assets comprise customer relationshi ps and non-competition arrangements, which will be amortized over an estimated weighted-average useful life of approximately 19 years.
[2]	The total amount of goodwill has been assigned to the Consumer Products operating segment.

Business Acquisition (Citruso39

Business Acquisition (Citrusource, Niagara, Sunrise - Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			4 Months Ended	7 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 02, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Jul. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	May 05, 2016	Aug. 11, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 09, 2015	Oct. 03, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination Settlement of pre-existing relationship		$ 0		$ 0			$ 0		$ (749)
Acquisition-related transaction costs		23		893			233		1,416
Payments For Proceeds From Previous Acquisition		0		0			4,554		0
Business Combination Contingent Consideration Arrangements Change In Amount Of Contingent Consideration Liability 1		$ 124		$ 235			$ (1,281)		$ 317
Citrusource, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition	Mar. 2, 2015
Business Combination Settlement of pre-existing relationship	$ 749
Buisness Combination, Earn-out on Incremental Growth, Percent	25.00%
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Maximum Unlimited							with no upper limit to the amount of each of the components
Contingent Consideration	$ 18,000
Business Combination, Deferred Contingent Consideration	15,000
Business Combination, Deferred Earn-out Payable, Non-current	3,000
Business Combination Contingent Consideration Liability Current	4,000
Business Combination Contingent Consideration Liability Noncurrent	$ 7,000
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	3.50%
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	12 years
Business Combination Deferred Earnout Commencing Period							2,016
Business Combination Deferred Earnout Frequency							four equal annual installments
Payments For Proceeds From Previous Acquisition			$ 3,900
Niagara Natural Fruit Snack Company Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition						Aug. 11, 2015
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High						$ 2,800
Contingent Consideration						$ 2,330	$ 2,330
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life						19 years
Payments For Proceeds From Previous Acquisition					$ 600
Business Combination Contingent Consideration Arrangements Change In Amount Of Contingent Consideration Liability 1					$ 1,700
Sunrise Growers, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination Acquired Receivables Gross Contractual Amount								$ 26,200
Sunrise Growers, Inc. [Member] | Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life								23 years
Sunrise Growers, Inc. [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate								12.00%

Discontinued Operations (Narrat

Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 06, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Apr. 02, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Employee Benefits And Share Based Compensation		$ 0.9
Impairment Of Long Lived Assets To Be Disposed Of	$ 0.4
Inventory Adjustments			$ 0.8

Discontinued Operations (Opta M

Discontinued Operations (Opta Minerals Inc Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, CAD in Millions	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016USD ($)	Apr. 06, 2016CAD	Apr. 06, 2016USD ($)	Apr. 02, 2016CAD	Apr. 02, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2015USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2015USD ($)	Jan. 02, 2016USD ($)	Apr. 02, 2016USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes							$ (834)	$ (4,515)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to SunOpta Inc	$ 0					$ 508	$ (570)	(2,959)
Opta Minerals Inc [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Description and Timing of Disposal							On February 11, 2016, Opta Minerals entered into a definitive acquisition agreement, pursuant to which Speyside agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Opta Minerals. The acquisition agreement was approved by Opta Minerals’ Boards of Directors, which recommended that Opta Minerals’ shareholders approve the transaction. Also on February 12, 2016, the Company entered into a support agreement pursuant to which it irrevocably agreed to vote all of its Opta Minerals’ shares in favor of the transaction.
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration				CAD 6.2						$ 4,800
Discontinued Operation Amount Of Cash Consideration On Sale				CAD 4.2	$ 3,200
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	0					624	$ (834)	(4,515)	$ (10,500)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to SunOpta Inc	$ 0					$ 508	$ (570)	$ (2,959)	(7,700)
Fair Value of Assets Acquired									$ 4,500
Sale of business costs					800
Discontinued Operations, reduction in net proceeds on sale of business					500
Change in carry value of assets held for sale					1,100
Discontinued Operations Gain On Classification On Sale Of Business					$ 600
Opta Minerals Inc [Member] | Subordinated Promissory Note
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Discontinued Operation Amount of Subordinated Promissory Note on Sale		CAD 2	$ 1,500
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage		2.00%	2.00%

Discontinued Operations (Opta42

Discontinued Operations (Opta Minerals Inc Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - Opta Minerals Inc [Member] $ in Thousands	Jan. 02, 2016USD ($)
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 1,707
Accounts receivables	14,676
Inventories	25,869
Property, Plant and Equipment	16,019
Intangible Assets	13,194
Other assets	3,380
Loss recognized on classification as held for sale	(10,515)
Total assets held for sale	64,330
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities [Abstract]
Bank Indebtedness	12,107
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	9,634
Long-term Debt	25,858
Other Liabilities	4,887
Total liabilities held for sale	$ 52,486

Discontinued Operations (Operat

Discontinued Operations (Operating results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jan. 02, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on classification as held for sale	$ 0	$ 0	$ 560	$ 0
Recovery of income taxes during phase out	0	(75)	599	(964)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes			(834)	(4,515)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to non-controlling interests	0	(116)	264	1,556
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to SunOpta Inc	0	508	(570)	(2,959)
Opta Minerals Inc [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenues from discontinued operations	0	28,794	24,896	87,925
Costs of Goods Sold	0	(24,471)	(22,133)	(75,823)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	(2,736)	(3,024)	(8,851)
Intangible Asset Amortization	0	(498)	0	(1,505)
Other Income (Expense), net	0	(591)	(794)	(2,201)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	0	1,017	(454)	568
Interest Expense	0	(816)	(484)	(3,664)
Earning (loss) before income tax	0	699	(1,993)	(3,551)
Gain on classification as held for sale	0	0	560	0
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	0	699	(1,433)	(3,551)
Recovery of income taxes during phase out	0	(75)	599	(964)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	0	624	(834)	(4,515)	$ (10,500)
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to non-controlling interests	0	(116)	264	1,556
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to SunOpta Inc	$ 0	$ 508	$ (570)	$ (2,959)	$ (7,700)

Product Recall (Narrative) (Det

Product Recall (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jan. 02, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Inventory Recall Expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,697	$ 0
Goodwill	241,585		241,585		$ 241,690
Intangible Assets	186,603		186,603		$ 195,008
Sunflower Kernel Products [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Inventory Recall Expense	12,000		28,000
Insurance Settlements Receivable	27,400		27,400
Goodwill	17,500		17,500
Intangible Assets	6,600		6,600
Recall Related Costs Unsettled	27,800		$ 27,800
Insurance Settlements Received	$ 2,000

Derivative Financial Instrume45

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2015USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2015USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2016EUR (€)bulots	Oct. 01, 2016USD ($)bulots	Apr. 15, 2016USD ($)	Jan. 02, 2016USD ($)	Aug. 29, 2014USD ($)	Aug. 05, 2011USD ($)
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Rollforward]
Payments For Proceeds From Previous Acquisition	$ 0	$ 0	$ 4,554	$ 0
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration	(124)	(235)	1,281	(317)
Impairment of long-lived assets	10,300	0	12,035	0
Enchi Corporation [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Investment Owned At Cost								$ 200	$ 900	$ 500
Repayment of investment owned at cost							$ 700
Enchi Corporation [Member] | Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Investment, Embedded Accelarated Payment Option						$ 5,100
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration [Rollforward]
Beginning Balance - Contingent Consideration			(21,010)
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred			0
Payments For Proceeds From Previous Acquisition			4,554
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration			1,281
Ending Balance - Contingent Consideration	(15,175)		(15,175)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Enchi Corporation [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative, Net						$ 2,900		$ 3,400
Corn [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market Unit | bu					340,399	340,399
Soybean [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market Unit | bu					386,737	386,737
Future And Forward Contracts [Member] | Cocoa [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | lots					309	309
Future And Forward Contracts [Member] | Coffee [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | lots					23	23
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	700	1,100	1,200	500
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount					€ 29.4	$ 33,000
Unrealized Gain Loss On Foreign Currency Derivatives Net Before Tax	$ (300)	$ (500)	$ (500)	$ (1,100)

Derivative Financial Instrume46

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis ) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market			$ 0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration		$ (15,175)	(21,010)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market	[1]	6,647	5,945
Contingent Consideration	[2]	(15,175)	(21,010)
Embedded Derivative	[3]	2,944	3,409
Property Plant And Equipment Fair Value Disclosure		600
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset Notional Amount		(188)	311	[4]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Short [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	[5]	1,747	748
Unrealized Derivative Liability	[5]	(1,197)	(1,417)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Long [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	[5]	0	21
Unrealized Derivative Liability	[5]	(12)	(36)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market	[1]	0
Contingent Consideration	[2]	0	0
Embedded Derivative	[3]	0	0
Property Plant And Equipment Fair Value Disclosure		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset Notional Amount		0	0	[4]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Short [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	[5]	799	0
Unrealized Derivative Liability	[5]	0	(10)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Long [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	[5]	0	0
Unrealized Derivative Liability	[5]	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market	[1]	6,647	5,945
Contingent Consideration	[2]	0	0
Embedded Derivative	[3]	0	0
Property Plant And Equipment Fair Value Disclosure		600
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset Notional Amount		(188)	311	[4]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Short [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	[5]	948	748
Unrealized Derivative Liability	[5]	(1,197)	(1,407)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Long [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	[5]	0	21
Unrealized Derivative Liability	[5]	(12)	(36)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Inventories Carried At Market	[1]	0	0
Contingent Consideration	[2]	(15,175)	(21,010)
Embedded Derivative	[3]	2,944	3,409
Property Plant And Equipment Fair Value Disclosure		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset Notional Amount		0	0	[4]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Short [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	[5]	0	0
Unrealized Derivative Liability	[5]	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Long [Member] | Future And Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Unrealized Derivative Asset	[5]	0	0
Unrealized Derivative Liability	[5]	$ 0	$ 0
[1]	Inventories carried at market are included in inventories on the consolidated balance sheets.
[2]	Contingent consideration obligations are included in long-term liabilities (including the current portion there of) on the consolidated balance sheets.
[3]	The embedded derivative is included in other assets (long-term) on the consolidated balance sheets.
[4]	The forward fo reign currency contracts are included in accounts receivable or accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
[5]	Unrealized short-term derivative asset is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, unrealized long-term derivative asset is included in other assets, unrealized short-term derivative liability is included in other current liabilities and unrealized long-term derivative liability is included in long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative Financial Instrume47

Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Notional Amounts) (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] bu in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2016bu
Future And Forward Purchase Contracts [Member] | Corn [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	414
Future And Forward Purchase Contracts [Member] | Soybean [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	596
Future And Forward Sale Contracts [Member] | Corn [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	(75)
Future And Forward Sale Contracts [Member] | Soybean [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	(599)
Future [Member] | Corn [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	(670)
Future [Member] | Soybean [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	(440)

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials and work-in-process	$ 283,036	$ 276,434
Finished goods	104,999	87,215
Company-owned grain	17,098	14,348
Inventory reserves	(11,444)	(6,774)
Total Inventory, Net	$ 393,689	$ 371,223

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Te49

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Bank indebtedness Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 226,651	$ 159,773
North American Line of credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0	70,563
European Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0	87,419
Bulgarian Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	3,148	1,791
Global Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 223,503	$ 0

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Te50

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Long term debt table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2016	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 09, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Long Term Debt	$ 310,000	$ 312,243
Capital Lease Obligations	8,162	9,245
Other Long-term Debt	1,481	1,507
Total Long-term and Current Term Debt	319,643	322,995
Current portion of long-term debt	2,159	1,773
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total	$ 317,484	$ 321,222
Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Long Term Debt			$ 330,000

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Te51

Bank Indebtedness and Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			4 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 11, 2016USD ($)	May 22, 2013	Oct. 01, 2016USD ($)	Jan. 02, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2015USD ($)	Apr. 19, 2016EUR (€)	Oct. 01, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 09, 2015USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date	Feb. 11, 2016
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 350,000
Line Of Credit Facility Increase Decrease In Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 100,000
Repayment of line of credit facilities			$ 0		$ 0		$ 192,677		$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	Feb. 10, 2021
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding			226,651	$ 159,773			226,651
Capital Lease Obligations			8,162	9,245			8,162
Secured Long Term Debt			$ 310,000	312,243			$ 310,000
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis							LIBOR
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate During Period			1.50%
Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis							Prime rate
Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate During Period			0.50%
Global Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding			$ 223,503	0			$ 223,503
European Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding			$ 0	87,419			$ 0
Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
Maximum [Member] | Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.75%
Minimum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.25%
Minimum [Member] | Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.25%
Non Revolving Term Credit Facility [Member] | Global Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate			2.57%				2.57%
Working Capital [Member] | Organic Corporation [Member] | European Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Bulgaria [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date		May 22, 2013
Line Of Credit Facility Amendment Date						Apr. 19, 2016
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity | €						€ 4.5
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date						Apr. 30, 2017
Working Capital [Member] | Organic Corporation [Member] | European Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Bulgaria [Member] | Euro Interbank Offered Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate						2.75%
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis							EURIBOR
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate			2.75%				2.75%
Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis							The applicable margin increases by 0.50% at the end of each three-month period after October 9, 2015 and before October 9, 2016
Repayments Of Debt				$ 10,000			$ 10,000
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage			11.20%				11.20%
Debt Instrument Gross Issuance Expense								$ 10,800
Secured Long Term Debt								$ 330,000
Debt Conversion Original Debt Type Of Debt							The remaining $231.0 million aggregate principal amount of Initial Loans matured on October 9, 2016 and automatically converted into a like principal amount of term loans (such converted loans, the “Term Loans”), with a maturity date of October 9, 2022. The Term Loans bore interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum. On October 20, 2016, all of the outstanding Term Loans were exchanged for a corresponding amount of 9.5% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”) issued by SunOpta Foods
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Terms							At the Company’s election, interest on the Initial Loans is initially determined by reference to either: (i) LIBOR (subject to a 1.0% per annum floor) plus an applicable margin of 6.0% per annum; or (ii) an alternate base rate specified in the Loan Agreement plus an applicable margin of 5.0%
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Increase Decrease								0.50%

Stock-Based Compensation (Narra

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016$ / sharesshares
Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross | shares	112,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 3.27
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	3 years
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross | shares	250,345
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 3.27
Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross | shares	1,087,864
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | $ / shares	$ 1.36
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Method of Measuring Cost of Award	Black-Scholes
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights	ratably
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period	10 years
Minimum [Member] | Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	1 year
Minimum [Member] | Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	1 year
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years

Stock-Based Compensation (Tab53

Stock-Based Compensation (Table) (Details) - Options [Member]	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016$ / shares
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	6 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 3.27
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	0.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	41.40%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	1.50%

Other Expense (Income), Net (54

Other Expense (Income), Net (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]
Litigation Settlement Expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 9,000	$ 0
Severance and other rationalization costs	138	2,653	1,153	2,653
Product Withdrawal and recall costs	0	0	1,697	0
Acquisition-related transaction costs	23	893	233	1,416
Impairment of long-lived assets	10,300	0	12,035	0
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration	124	235	(1,281)	317
Other	(273)	(129)	(114)	7
Total Other Expense, net	$ 10,312	$ 3,652	$ 22,723	$ 4,393

Other Expense (Income), Net (Na

Other Expense (Income), Net (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Jan. 02, 2016
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Product Withdrawal and recall costs		$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,697	$ 0
Litigation Settlement Expense		0	0	9,000	0
Loss Contingency Loss in period						$ 5,200
Impairment of long-lived assets		10,300	$ 0	12,035	$ 0
Property, Plant and Equipment		$ 161,252		161,252			$ 176,513
Private Label orange juice product withdrawal [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Product Withdrawal and recall costs				1,100
Sunflower Kernel Products [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Product Withdrawal and recall costs				600
San Bernardino Asset Impairment [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Property Plant And Equipment Impairment Or Disposal Disclosure		the Company identified a need for significant investment in new packaging and processing capabilities in order to satisfy packaging format changes demanded by the facility’s largest customer. In addition, the Company was unsuccessful in contracting sufficient supply of raw citrus fruit for the upcoming season to allow for effective and efficient use of the facility’s extraction capabilities. This supply chain challenge is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, and while the Company has secured sufficient supply of extracted juice to meet its production requirements, the Company determined that it would be more beneficial to transfer its juice production from the facility to contract manufacturers with whom the Company has ongoing relationships. Accordingly, the Company has decided to not make further capital investments in support of the bottling or extraction areas of the facility. As a result, the Company determined that the carrying value of the long-lived assets of $10.9 million was not recoverable and that the assets were impaired
Property, Plant and Equipment		$ 10,900		$ 10,900
San Bernardino Asset Impairment [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Scenario Forecast [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Plant Closure Costs	$ 4,000
San Bernardino Asset Impairment [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Scenario Forecast [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Plant Closure Costs	$ 5,000

Other Expense (Income), Net (56

Other Expense (Income), Net (Narrative - Restructuring) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Apr. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Severance and other rationalization costs	$ 138		$ 2,653	$ 1,153	$ 2,653
Previously unrecognized stock-based compensation expense					900
Other Restructuring Costs					$ 1,200
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Other Restructuring Costs	$ 300	$ 1,700

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations			43.80%	31.30%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (5,411)	$ (568)	$ (15,632)	$ 4,838
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Period Increase Decrease			$ 1,300

Earnings Per Share (Narrative)

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,873,871	870,192	2,453,271	405,996

Earnings Per Share (Table) (Det

Earnings Per Share (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Earnings Per Share Abstract
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	$ (3,355)	$ (194)	$ (17,142)	$ 10,556
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to SunOpta Inc	0	508	(570)	(2,959)
Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc.	$ (3,355)	$ 314	$ (17,712)	$ 7,597
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	85,618,870	69,180,603	85,528,512	68,198,611
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	85,650,452	69,180,603	85,549,046	68,405,801
Earnings (loss) per share - basic
from continuing operations basic	$ (0.04)	$ 0	$ (0.2)	$ 0.15
from discontinued operations basic	0	0.01	(0.01)	(0.04)
Earnings Per Share Total	(0.04)	0	(0.21)	0.11
Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
from continuing operations diluted	(0.04)	0	(0.2)	0.15
from discontinued operations diluted	0	0.01	(0.01)	(0.04)
Earnings Per Share Diluted Total	$ (0.04)	$ 0	$ (0.21)	$ 0.11
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	0	0	0	0
Options and RSU [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	31,582	0	20,534	207,190

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform60

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	$ (22,302)	$ 7,250	$ (56,049)	$ (2,352)
Inventories	5,150	3,369	(34,760)	(29,824)
Income tax recoverable	9,423	(3,600)	14,807	(6,617)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,985)	2,190	(2,591)	(922)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	10,999	2,321	21,943	9,731
Customer and other deposits	(449)	1,118	(4,293)	1,019
Net cash flows from operations - continuing operations	$ 836	$ 12,648	$ (60,943)	$ (28,965)

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation Settlement Expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 9,000	$ 0
Plum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Payments For Legal Settlements	5,000
Non Cash Rebate For Legal Settlement	$ 4,000		$ 4,000
Plum [Member] | SunOpta Global Organic Ingredients, Inc [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Business Contracts, Manufacturing Contract Date	Sep. 21, 2011
Inventory Recall Date	Nov. 8, 2013
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date			3-Feb-15
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant			SunOpta Global Organic Ingredients, Inc
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff			Plum, PBC, a Delaware public benefit corporation (“Plum”)
Loss Contingency, Amended Lawsuit Filing Date	Apr. 13, 2015
Loss Contingency Allegations			Plum filed an amended complaint adding packaging manufacturer and supplier Cheer Pack North America as a Defendant. Plum alleged it initiated the recall in response to consumer complaints of spoiled packaging of certain products, which could lead to gastrointestinal symptoms and discomfort if consumed. Plum alleged that the spoilage of its products resulted from a post-processing issue at SGOI’s Allentown facility.
Loss Contingency Actions Taken By Defendant			SGOI asserted counterclaims against Plum and cross-claims against Cheer Pack.
Loss Contingency Damages Sought			Plum sought unspecified damages equal to the direct costs of the recall and handling of undistributed product, incidental and consequential damages, lost profits and attorneys’ fees.

Segmented Information (Table) (

Segmented Information (Table) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	$ 348,732	$ 277,213	$ 1,049,192	$ 828,756
Segment operating income	15,508	6,505	31,245	29,049
Other income (expense), net	(10,312)	(3,652)	(22,723)	(4,393)
Interest expense, net	(12,178)	(1,103)	(34,748)	(3,171)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(9,269)	(656)	(32,770)	15,478
Global Ingredients [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	137,174	150,500	441,694	467,405
Segment operating income	7,404	4,642	24,256	23,934
Consumer Products [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment revenues from external customers	211,558	126,713	607,498	361,351
Segment operating income	8,104	1,863	6,989	5,115
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Segment operating income	$ (2,287)	$ (2,406)	$ (6,544)	$ (6,007)

Subsequent events (Preferred Sh

Subsequent events (Preferred Share Narrative) (Details) - Subsequent Event [Member] - Oaktree Organics, L.P. and Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund II, L.P. [Member] - Series A Preferred Stock [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Oct. 25, 2025	Oct. 07, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent Events Date		Oct. 7, 2016
Temporary Equity Shares Issued		85,000
Temporary Equity Net Proceeds On Issuance		$ 79
Temporary Equity Aggregate Amount Of Redemption Requirement		$ 85
Temporary Equity Par Or Stated Value Per Share		$ 1,000
Temporary Equity Liquidation Preference Per Share		$ 1,000
Preferred Stock Dividend Rate Percentage		8.00%
Convertible Preferred Stock Settlement Terms		At any time on or after the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, SunOpta Foods may redeem all of the Preferred Stock for an amount, per share of Preferred Stock, equal to the value of the liquidation preference at such time. Upon certain events involving a change of control of the Company, SunOpta Foods must use reasonable efforts to provide the Holders with the option to exchange shares of the Preferred Stock for a security in the surviving or successor entity that has the same rights, preferences and privileges as the Preferred Stock as adjusted for the change of control. SunOpta Foods will also offer to redeem the Preferred Stock at an amount per share equal to the greater of (i) the liquidation preference plus an amount equal to the value of incremental dividends that would have accrued through to the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date and (ii) the amount payable per Common Share in such change of control multiplied by the Exchange Rate.
Convertible Preferred Stock Terms Of Conversion		At any time, the Holders may exchange their shares of Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, into the number of Common Shares equal to, per share of Preferred Stock, the quotient of the liquidation preference divided by $7.50 (such price, the “Exchange Price” and such quotient, the “Exchange Rate”). As at October 7, 2016, the aggregate shares of Preferred Stock outstanding were exchangeable into 11,333,333 Common Shares. The Exchange Price is subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, including a weighted-average adjustment for issuances of Common Shares below the Exchange Price, provided that the Exchange Price may not be lower than $7.00 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances).
Preferred Stock Redemption Price Per Share		$ 7.5
Preferred Stock Voting Rights		In connection with the Subscription Agreement, 11,333,333 Special Shares, Series 1 (the “Special Voting Shares”) of the Company were issued to the Investors, which entitle the Investors to one vote per Special Voting Share on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Shares, together as a single class, subject to certain exceptions. As of the Closing Date, the Special Voting Shares represented an 11.7% voting interest in the Company.
Preferred Stock Participation Rights		For so long as the Investors beneficially own or control at least 50% of the Preferred Stock issued on the Closing Date, including any corresponding Common Shares into which such Preferred Stock are exchanged, the Investors will be entitled to (i) participation rights with respect to future equity offerings of the Company; and (ii) governance rights, including the right to approve certain actions proposed to be taken by the Company and its subsidiaries
Minimum [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Redemption Price Per Share		$ 7
Scenario Forecast [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Dividend Rate Percentage	12.50%

Subsequent events (Second LienN

Subsequent events (Second LienNotes Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 20, 2016	Oct. 01, 2016
Term Loan Facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Conversion Original Debt Type Of Debt		The remaining $231.0 million aggregate principal amount of Initial Loans matured on October 9, 2016 and automatically converted into a like principal amount of term loans (such converted loans, the “Term Loans”), with a maturity date of October 9, 2022. The Term Loans bore interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum. On October 20, 2016, all of the outstanding Term Loans were exchanged for a corresponding amount of 9.5% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”) issued by SunOpta Foods
Subsequent Event [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date	Oct. 20, 2016
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 231
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage	9.50%
Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment	semi-annually in arrears
Debt Conversion Original Debt Type Of Debt	SunOpta Foods issued $231.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes in exchange for the corresponding principal amount of Term Loans borrowed under the Second Lien Loan Agreement. The Term Loans were the result of the automatic conversion on October 9, 2016 of the outstanding Initial Loans borrowed under the Second Lien Loan Agreement
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Oct. 9, 2022
Debt Instrument Redemption Description	At any time prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time and from time to time at a “make-whole” redemption price set forth in the indenture governing the Notes. On or after October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the redemption prices equal to 107.125% through October 8, 2019, 104.750% from October 9, 2019 through October 8, 2020, 102.375% from October 9, 2020 through October 8, 2021 and at par thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. In addition, prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.500% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. At any time prior to October 9, 2018, SunOpta Foods may also redeem, during each twelve-month period beginning on October 20, 2016, up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a price equal to 103% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the date of redemption. In the event of a change of control, SunOpta Foods will be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase.